AVIATION

Southland Times, Issue 20202, 13 June 1927, Page 7

AVIATION

LINDBERGH RETURNS STATE WELOME IN WASHINGTON HIGH TRIBUTE FROM PRESIDENT (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Washington, 4une 11. Captain Lindtergh was given a national welcome on his arrival, escorted at the head of a great parade hrough the city. President Coolidge bestowed on him the distinguished Flying Cross. When decorating the airman, President Coolidge referred to him as “Out Ambassador without portfolio,” and said that, “in showering applause and honours upon this genial modest American youth with the naturalness, simplicity and poise of true greatness, France had the opportunity to show clearly her goodwill for America.” President Coolidge paid a high tribute to Captain Lindbergh’s refusal to commercialise his feat. Lindbergh has to face a week end crowded with functions and celebrations, after which he is due in New York on Monday for a mammoth welcome, which it is expected will exceed even Washington’s effort. The latest offer made to Lindbergh is a salary of one hundred thousand dollars yearly as head of the American Society for the Promotion of Aviation, on which no decision has vet been announced.—A. and N.Z. WASHINGTON’S STUPENDOUS WELCOME. WHOLE CITY IN THE STREETS. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Washington, June 11. The most stupendous welcome ever accorded to an individual American was given to Captain Lindbergh on arrival in the cruiser Memphis. Practically the entire population of the capital and hundreds of thousands of visitors, many of whom had lined the streets since dawn, broke into a huge roar of greeting and continued cheering in a fine irenzy of excitement from the moment the vessel appeared in sight. The dirigible Los Angeles with scores of Government and private airplanes escorted the Memphis into dock. Guns and sirens from the launches and other craft and from the shore saluted the airman as the cruiser proceeded up the Potomac, and the Presidential salute of 21 guns was fired at Alexandra Support on the right bank of the Potomac five miles southward from the capital. Lindbergh's mother was the first to board the cruiser.where Robert Nungesser, brother of the lost French airman, also greeted Captain Lindbergh.—A. and N.Z. NON-STOP FLIGHT PREPARATIONS. MACHINE TESTED AT BROOKLANDS. Rugby, June 10. An aeroplane in which a new attempt will be made to fly without stop to Karachi, a distance of 4100 miles, was being tested to-day at Brooklands prior to proceeding to Cranwell aerodrome whence the start for India will be made as soon as the weather is favourable. It is confirmed that Flight-Lieutenant Carr will again be pilot. Flight-Lieutenant Gillman, who navigated the previous attempt, will, to his great disappointment, be unable to take part in the new venture for domestic reasons. Carr’s companion will be FlightLieutenant Nackworth, who has had very considerable experience in long-distance flights and was one of those who flew from Cairo to Capetown and back last year. For several days men have been at work to prevent any such mishaps as that which caused Lieutenants Carr and Gillman to come down in the Persian Gulf in the previous attempt, namely, an airlock in the petrol supply. A new petrol system and new filter have been installed and it is regarded as certain that similar trouble will not occur.—British Official Wireless. DE PINEDO ARRIVES HOME. (Rec. 11 p.m.) Lisbon, June 12. De Pinedo has arrived from the Azores.— A. and N.Z.