PROGRESS IN AVIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3413, 13 August 1919, Page 19

PROGRESS IN AVIATION.

FATAL SMASH IN ITALY. (By Cable.) ROME, August 4. The Capi'oiii aeroplane, flying from Venice to Milan, crashed from a height of 4000 ft. Fourteen of those aboard were killed. LONDON, August 4. The Milan correspondent of The Time* states that the aeroplane disaster has robbed Italian journalism of its greatest editors. All the passengers were journalists. After a record flight of 170 mile* in 107 minutes, the machine suddenly made a nose dive. " Realising the hopelessness of their position, the passenger* jumped out one after another. Their bodies were not recognisable. GIFT AEROPLANES. LONDON, August 6. Nothing has been decided regarding the types of the 100 aeroplanes which Britain is giving to Australia, but it is understood that the delay is due to the lack of hangars. Fifty Australian pilots and are still in England studying the latest manufacturing methods. It is hoped that the Government's air policy will be announced sufficiently early to enable the men to choose between conn tinuing in the Australian Air Service an<i returning to civil life. It is understood that Mr W. M, Hughes has indicated that all position* in the Australian Air Service must be held by Australians, and this announcement has given the utmost satisfaction. - It is admitted that if future air defence includes airships and balloons the most_ economical method will be to secure English instructors in the meantime. Mr S. W. Copley, a Westralian, has purchased 300 passenger aeroplanes. He intends to send some to Australia to facilitate rapid transit from the capitals to outlying districts in case of an. emergency such as the need for doctors. August '7. The Admiralty airship R 33 is to start for India in a week. ' , VANCOUVER, August 6. - Captain Hoy, a - Canadian, flew acrosi the Rocky Mountains from Vancouver to Calgary. This is the first aerial crossing of the Rockies.