AVIATION

Southland Times, Issue 20173, 9 May 1927, Page 7

AVIATION

REMARKABLE PROGRESS LONDONERS OWN PRIVATE ’PLANES AERIAL SERVICE TO CONTINENT (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rec. 2.15 p.m.) London, May 7. Coincident with Saint Romain’s thrilling trans-Atlantic crossing, which is officially regarded as foolhardy because of the removal of the floats, a giant air liner circled London on its first pleasure cruise just as a pleasure steamer might run round Sydney harbour. This tells the story of the ing advance of aviation. Giant ’planes with convertable sleeping cabins will soon be operating regularly between London and the Continent. Experiments are progressing with seaplane services for the same route, alighting on the Thames. Several big departmental stores in London are showing aeroplanes in windows for private sale. Lloyd’s have introduced an air arrival and departure list. Many citizens already own private ’planes utilised daily for the purpose of coming to London and returning from business. At present chief interest in trans-Atlantic aspirants centres in Captain Nungesser who arrived at Le Bourget to-night in preparation for taking off for New York. Amazing scenes accompanied his arrival. A huge crowd rushed a cordon of police on the flying field and two hundred troops with fixed bayonets were ordered to protect the machine. Thereupon they formed a ring round the hangar and Nungesser was forced to take refuge. Nungesser and his assistants are at pre.' sent busy obtaining the various necessary supplies. Food consists of caviare, sandwiches, bananas and coffee. The time of departure, which is a close secret, is expected to be Sunday. The airman is undecided which route he will follow. From the choice of three, one would be from Cherbourg along the English coastline to the Gulf of St. Lawrence the second from Cherbourg across the Atlantic to Boston and thence to New York l I the third from Cherbourg to Newfoundland and thence to Halifax and New York. Present indications are he will favour the latter because there is less risk of encountering icebergs. A London message dated April 23 stated: Trans-Atlantic flights promise to out-rivat Channel swimming this summer. Thus far plans are maturing for 11 attempts to cross from Paris to New York and vice versa. These include French, Polish, Belgian, American, and English pilots. Some intend to compete for the Orteig prize of £5OOO for the first direct flight between the two points named. The chief difficulty is the weight of petrol necessary. Some machines are of five tons fully loaded. Tests show that some competitors are capable of flyi j forty-five hours continuously at an average speed of ninety miles hourly. It is expected those starting from New York will have the advantage of favourable winds.