AVIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22505, 25 February 1935, Page 9

AVIATION

CAIRO TO BERLIN GERMAN LINER'S FLIGHT (United Press Association.) CBy Electric Telegraph— Copyright.) BERLIN, February 22. The German Lufthansa commercial aeroplane flew from Cairo to Berlin, a distance of 2050 miles, in a day. "REPRISAL-MACHINES" LONDON, February 22. The Daily Mail's Paris correspondent says that the Air Ministry has decided henceforth that French bombing aeroplanes will be called " reprisal machines," and bombing squadrons "reprisal squadrons." *'"-" REGULAR ATLANTIC SERVICE "PICKABACK" PLANS ; ■ LONDON, February 2S. (Received Feb. 24, at 10 p.m.) The Star says "pickaback" plans may be Imperial Airways solution of the problem of spanning the Atlantic with a regular air service. The present difli-; culty is getting a plane possessing sufficient range with a full load of petrol from the ground, which it is hoped to overcome by the introduction of a huge plane with special climbing powers, on which a four-engined seaplane capable . of 180 miles an hour and carrying ten' passengers, baggage and mail can be borne aloft to a height of several thousand feet. The pilot will then release mechanism enabling the seaplane to start across the Atlantic, under the most favourable circumstances. ' . . Major R. H. Mayo, an Imperial Aitways engineer, devised the plan. The Shortt brothers are building an experimental "pickaback" and seaplane, and test flights will be possible in the ■ summer. The Air Ministry ia financing the scheme. The seaplane, if successful, will ije Imperial Airways answer to the Zeppelin. \ STRATOSPHERE FLIGHT FAILS " LOS ANGELES, February 22. (Received Feb. 24, at 9 p.m.) Wiley Post's attempted stratosphere > flight to New York failed to-day, when he was forced down in the desert 125 miles from Los Angeles. He i left Bur- l bank airport at 6 o'clock in ihe morning clad in an aluminium helmet and " oxygen pressure suit" /to withstand tha high altitude., He dropped the land T ing gear as he took off. The landing on the body of the plane was effected with a minimum of damage. He hopes to repair the craft for another attempt..