TRANS-TASMAN FLIGHT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20310, 19 January 1928, Page 9

TRANS-TASMAN FLIGHT

GaPTAIN MOODY’S VENTURE SEAPLANE TO BE USED. RISK TOO GREAT IN MONOPLANE (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, January 18. Captain Moody says that he would not attempt the flight across the Tasman in a monoplane, as the stretch of water is far too great and the risk enormous. He hoped to make arrangements with shipping to keep in touch with his machine by radio continuously throughout the flight. He would make *he flight in an American seaplane, which had just been lauded in Sydney. He had not yet unpacked it. The machine was bought by an Australian syndicate. Captain Moody said that the present was the most favourable time for au attempt, and he intended setting out as early as possible. Mrs Moody Is very enthusiastic and overjoyed at the prospect of accompanying her husband. A HAMILTON ASPIRANT. AMPHIBIAN TYPE OF MACHINE. (Per United Press Association.) HAMILTON, January 18. Provided he can obtain a suitable machine, Mr Philip Bailey, of Hamilton, proposes to become another aspirant fot the trans-Tasman flight. He has communicated with Major de Haviland, of Melbourne, asking whether a suitable DH9 type of biplane, fitted with floats, is available, and is awaiting advice. The undertaking is dependent on whether a favourable reply is received. Mr Bailey states the project is very indefinite at present, but he thinks the flight could be done in the class of machine mentioned. Although it is regarded as out of date, it has a reliable totally enclosed engine and aas a good performance, which makes it particularly adaptable to the trans-Tasman flight. Mr Bailey considers the cost of fitting out the machine should be covered by £IOOO, and anticipates no difficulty in securing financial support L a DH9 machine can be secured. He stresses the point, however, that the proposal is still far from definite. Mr Bailey is 35 years of age, and a poultry-keeper. He saw service in the Royal Air Force at Home during and after the war until 1922. “NEVER HEARD OF BAILEY.” STATEMENT BY MAJOR DE HAVILAND. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) MELBOURNE, Jamlary 18. (Received Jan. 18, at 9.25 p.m.) Referring to a report cabled from New Zealand that Mr Philip Bailey proposed to make a flight from Australia, Major de Haviland said he had never heard of Bailey, and had never heard proposal to use a de Haviland machine on such a flight. LONG FLIGHTS ACROSS WATER. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S VIEWS. s MELBOURNE, January 18. (Received Jan. 18, at 9 p.m.) Mr Bruce (Prime Minister of the Commonwealth) states that although the Government has had no official notification of the proposed new flight from Sydney to New . Zealand, the Federal Government is strongly opposed to long flights across water unless an amphibian or a seaplane with proper equipment for sea flying is used. Mr Bruce added that the flight proposed by Captain Moody in a monoplane without floats would be far too hazardous. The Government did not approve of any long-distance flights that were not first approved by the Government's technical experts and considered by them to have a reasonable chance of success. There was a regulation prohibiting flying in land machines more than 50 miles out to sea unless they were fitted with floats,_ and carried proper and necessary equipment to give the airmen a chance if forced down in the sea.