TASMAN FLYING

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 219, 12 April 1933, Page 5

TASMAN FLYING

Regular Service PROSPECT THOUGHT GOOD Smithy’s Crew Return Press Association. —Copyright. Auckland, April 11.—The conviction that an aerial transport service across the Tasman Sea is well within the bounds of possibility, and at no very remote date, was expressed by both:Captain P. G. Taylor and Mr. H. M. Mackay, two members of the crew who flew from the Ninety-Mile Beach to Sydney in the Southern Cross last Sunday week, when they arrived in Auckland by the Monterey this morning. Captain Taylor is going on to Pago Pago by the vessel, while Mr. Mackay, who is man. aging director of the New Zealand Airways, Ltd., is returning to the company’s headquarters at Dunedin.

“There was nothing exceptional about our flight," said Captain Taylor. “The wind was favourable, and the other weather conditions were reasonable. The Southern Cross functioned well, and the trip was made without any anxiety.’’ For a regular service from, New Zealand to Australia, said Captain Taylor, a suitable type of machine must be developed. “By that I mean a type which eliminates the possibility of having to make a forced landing at 'sea—and it is already in the stage, of development. That will be Achieved with a multiple engined plane, the units of which are accessible to the engineers during the flight. This will enable repairs to be effected in case of minor mishaps, which in the past have made a forced land ng necessary. “Within Four or Five Years”

“The possibility of a Tasman service impresses mo very much, and also those with whom I was associated on the flight,’and who were in a better position to form reliable conclusions," said Mr, Mackay. "Our general opinion is that within _ the next four or five years some definite move will bo made to inaugurate a service," Provided Government assistance was forthcoming' from both sides of the Tasman, Mr. Mackay stated that Sir Charles Kingston! Smith was prepared to associate himself with the project. A subsidy was essential for such an nir service in its initial stages, until such time as public confidence was established. Mr. Mackay investigated, the air services at present In operation in Australia, the New England service between Sydney and Brisbane and Arts Aircrafts, whose machines fly between Melbourne and Tasmania. These services had impressed him very much.

Ocean Flying Easy Flying over the sea was essentially easy' as there were no obstructions and less likelihood of striking "patchy” air than over the land, continued Mr. Mackay. The vast fields across the Tasman provided opportunities for picking a course, where unfavourable elements could be evaded, and where the pilot Qould be assisted by essential meteorological reports. As evidence of the high standard to which the Australian air services had been brought, Mr. Mackay stated that during his ,stay in Sydney the New Enghftid service had missed only one tup. Owing to torrential rain in Brisbane last Wednesday, the northern aerodrome became so waterlogged that the machine was unable to take off. Despite the fact that Sydney experienced similar had weather, the northbound plane run to scliedirle. Referring to the trip of the Southern Cross Mr. Mackay said that he had never’ experienced such comfortable air travelling. "We had no roll over the Tasman,’’ ho said, “and, sitting in my armchair, the only movement felt was an occasional Uft or drop by tUe machine.” . Regarding the typo of machineo suitable for a trans-Tasman service, Mr. Mackay favoured the Avro 10, which was practically similar to the Southern Cross, but was a little moie up to date and faster, its cruising speed being about 110 miles an hour. This type, which had a carrying capacity of 10 or 12. was in use in the Australian services. “Smithy’s" Next Flight Captain Taylor mentioned that the plans for Sir Charles Kingsfoid Smith’s flight to England and back to Australia with passengers wore nearly completed, and the flight was expected to be made next August. Captain Taylor said ho expected to travel as co-pilot, and he would be returning to Australia to rejoin the "old bus.” I At the completion of that flight Sir Charles was planning another voyage j across the Tasman to New Zealand, j ami he hopes to take part in that too. j