AEROPLANE FLIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 July 1922, Page 5

AEROPLANE FLIGHT.

AUSTRALIA TO DOMINION. FURTHER DETAILS. Ashburton, July 1. An attempt to fly over the Tasman Sea from a point in the south-eastern corner of New South Wales, to Christchurch, is to be made by Captain G. H. Keat, D.F.C., in the autumn of next year. The attempt is to be made in a Sopwith machine. Captain Keat will have associated with him as navigator Captain Bruce Ross, another ex-pilot of the Royal Air Force, who will be remembered as partner with Major Blake, who is at present on a world flight, in one of his earlier ventures. The season for the flight, in February or March next, has been carefully chosen on the reports of the meteorologists as the most suitable for crossing the Tasman Sea. The air currents have been more favorable and squalls are less Likely to be encountered at this period of the year, while the prevalent north-west wind is generally quiescent in the autumn. Captain Keat previously offered his services to the New Zealand Government for a flight from New Zealand to Austrak .. but the Postinaster-General (the Hon. J. G. Coates) declined the offer and promised to keep the pilot’s application in view when an opportunity occurred. Recently Captain Keat has been in communication with the Sopwith Company and Vickers, Ltd., of England, with a view to arranging the matter. Finally, through Sopwith’s Sydney agency, his offer was accepted, and he proceeds to London next month to complete arrangements. These include the selection and shipping of two Sopwith machines to Sydney and thence to the point of departure.