NEARING MELBOURNE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18545, 3 November 1934, Page 5

NEARING MELBOURNE

NEW ZEALAND* AIRMEN (Received November 3, noon.) CHARLEVILLK, Nov. 3. Squadron-Leader Hewett and FlyingOfficer Kay left Oloncurry yesterday at 2 p.m., and landed at Charleville just before dark. They are leaving for Melbourne this morning.

WIDE FLYING EXPERIENCE ,Squadron-Leadei .1. D. Hewett and Fiymg Uffieei U. K. .Kay, hmii 01 Auckland, compel 11 i m liotii the speed ami handicap events 111 a new de lia\ dlaud Dragon plane. The machine ;s dc:s Tided as an air liner in miniature, it 1* a twin-engined cabin niplaue, ot wood construction, and is powered by two sixeylmuer Gypsy engines. 1 11 us commercial form it Jias accommodation lor eight passengers and luggage, and cruises at a injur ihO miles an hour. The plane was entered by a committee of Auckland business men, the chairman of which was Mr. * Oliver Nicholson. When tho committee, was formed in May last, it was estimated that £3OOO would he required lor the plane and expenses. It was stated that a minimum of 12 guarantors was required for £6OOO between them, and seven business men immediately volunteered. Arrangements were made for an art union to cover the cost, and the hope was expressed that any deficiency would be met by donations.

.Squadron-Leader Hewett has been engaged in commercial aviation in New Zealand since 1928. He received a com mission in the Royal Flying Corps in 1916, and he has flown more than 2600 hours, having had experience of 26 types of machines. He has a distinguished war record. He was recently promoted to squadron-leader in command of No. 1 ( Army co-operation) Squadron, New Zealand Territorial Air Force.

Flying-Officer Kay has also had wide experience in aviation, having taken special courses in “blind flying” and navigation, lie gained the highest gliding certificate offered in Germany, being the first Englishman to achieve this. He lias flown military and civil aeroplanes, and also flying boats, while his work as a commercial pilot took him to most of tho capitals of Europe. In 1930, ho flew from England to Australia with FlyingOfficer H. L. Piper, formerly of Christchurch, in a Desoutter monoplane. Squadron-Leader Hewett and Flying-Offi-cer Kay left Auckland for London in July to take charge of the machine. Although their machine was not delivered to them until October 10, they made arrangements with the company to have tho use of a similar type. They then familiarised themselves with the new designs ol instruments and began with full-load lesls. Apart from their actual flying they brushed up their navigation. Provided the weather is favorable, it is the intention of the pilots to fly across the Tasman immediately following the race. Plans for the continuation of (he flight have been made, and they propose to land at Mangere Aerodrome (Auckland).