AVIATION NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2975, 22 March 1911, Page 60

AVIATION NOTES.

Owing to the wonderful things Mr J. J. Hammond has, been accomplishing on his Bristol aeroplane iat Altona Bay, near Melbourne, during thei past week, the suggestion has been made in official circles that this accomplished aviator—who appears to do what he likes on his 50-h.p. biplane—should make an attempt to fly across Australia. Such', a proposition must have been suggested without giving the matter serious consideration. The flight would bo impossible at present, for almost insurmountable difficulties would have to be overcome. The first trouble would be to arrange for petrol and oil depots at stages across the continent —no easy matter 1 at any * time, but impossible when the actual line of flight might vary anything from 10 to 20 miles owing" to the vagaries of tihe wind —a most important item whian petrol has to be transported over trackless deserts. In country opened up by roads, capable of carrying motor car speed of from 30 to 40 miles an hour, jpetrol supplies and spares could follow the aviator by such means; but this cannot bo done so readily in the centre of this continent. A flight from Melbourne to Sydney, or Melbourne to Adelaide, if split up into, say 10 sections is possible. In either direction tho aviator would have the railway track as a guide and with favourable weather conditions, either trip looks at the mercy of Mir Hammond, if he or the company he represents could be induced to undertake it. If the Commonwealth military authorities want a practical _ demonstration of cross-country aeroplaning, let them foot th/> bill for a flight from Melbourne to Sydney—the expense incurred in such an undertaking would be as nothing compared with its practical value from a military standpoint. The defence of Australia may depend in the near future on an aerial fleet, at once the cheapest and micst. effective! means of defence of such a tremendous territory—and everything that will bring that fleet a day nearer deserves encouragement. LONDON, March 15. The British and Colonial Aeroplane Company is supplying the War Office with four Bristol military biplanes. LONDON, March 16. The sum of £20,000 is offered for an aeroplane race from Paris to Berlin, thence to Brussels and London. NEW YORK, March 16. The £2OOO prize for a flight around the Statue of Liberty has been awarded to Count De Lesseps by the Aero Olub. Both Moiesant (who was subsequently killed) and Grahame White were disqualified. The latter alleged that he had been fouled by Pylon. De Lesseps finished last. SYDNEY, March 15. The Aerial League will ask the Federal Government for a subsidy of £3OOO towards the proposed Sydney-Melbourne flight, conditionally on the public subscribing £IO,OOO.