TASMAN AIR SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23705, 12 January 1939, Page 10

TASMAN AIR SERVICE

SAFETY OF FLYING BOATS MODERN RADIO NETWORK INSTALLATION FOR DIRECTIONFINDING (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Jan. 11. Elaborate plans for a modern radio network to assist in ensuring the safety of the flying boats on the transtasman service and embodying the erection of a large station at Auckland are reported to have resulted from the recent conference of Australian and New Zealand radio experts held in Melbourne. The New Zealand delegates returned to Wellington this week, and a report has been submitted to the Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones) on the work of the conference. The Minister said when interviewed by telephone by the New Zealand Herald that the details of the report were as yet confidential, but the information with certain recommendations, would be submitted shortly to the Cabinet for consideration. Four Special Installations

Special radio installations at Auckland, Awarua, Lord Howe Island, and Sydney are reported to have been recommended by the conference. Provided that the scheme is endorsed by the Cabinet it is likly that direction-finding equipment will be installed at these four places, and that in addition Auckland will have a radio system involving buildings and intricate equipment at a radio centre to be established on a site not yet determined. The Auckland radio centre, it is understood, will be known as the Musick memorial station. This will be in accordance with the Government's intention of honouring the memory of Captain Edwin C. Musick, master of the Pan-American Airways flying boat, Samoan Clipper, which was lost with <all hands off Tutuila, in American Samoa, a

year ago. Captain Musick was one of the pioneers of long-distance ocean flying and twice brought the Sikorsky Clipper to Auckland from Honolulu. Short and medium wave direction-finding, as well as several ordinary receiving and transmitting sets, have been mentioned as among the equipment likely to be installed at the Auckland centre. Early Start Anticipated In addition to being in communication with special ground stations the flying boats will be able to use any suitable broadcasting station within range of their sets for direction-finding. Some of the equipment necessary for the Auckland station .is already in the Dominion, it is believed, and the remainder will have to be imported. The plan provides for an ultra-modern radio centre incorporating the latest in wireless equipment specially designed for use in connection with aircraft. Provided that the recommendations made are adopted by the Cabinet, it is possible that an early start will be made with the necessary building, masts, and other work incidental to the establishment of a radio centre. A busy period is anticipated as soon as the decision of the Cabinet has been made known.