TIMOR SEA AIR CROSSING

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1933, Page 7

TIMOR SEA AIR CROSSING

SINGLE ENGINES CRITICISED

MELBOURNE RACE DISCUSSED ■ —-w GEOGRAPHY BADLY TAUGHT > AUSTRALIA’S FINE SERVICES By Telegraph—Press Assn.'—Copyright London, Nov. 16. The Royal Aero Club organ “Flight” is publishing a series of articles by Mr. W. Hudson Fysh, managing director of Queensland and Northern Territory aerial services, emphasising the unsuitability of single and twin-engined' machines for the Timor Sea crossing, and the riskiness of cheese-paring methods, and paying tribute to the sense of security provided by machines such as the Astraea for the Australian air mail service. ... Editorially commending Mr. Fysh’s absence of prejudice in favour of singleengined machines despite the Quantas Airways success with them, “Flight” says: “Nevertheless, we will not abandon our belief that flying-boats are preferable throughout the route between Darwin and Calcutta, where a hull would add something to the safety of the route. They are already provided in the Atalanta land-planes. It is vital to the Empire that flying-boats be developed to the utmost It is the business of the Government rather than a commercial company to encourage types ,of Imperial importance in the future, which may not be the best at present as payers of dividends.” Commenting on Sir Macpherson Rob-

ertson’s statement that one of his reasons for providing the London-Melbourne air race prize money is to teach people where Melbourne is, “Flight” says: “It is deplorable that such a remark is justified, but it is a fact that the geography of the Empire is badly taught in most British and possibly also in Dominion schools.” It adds that there is no need for Australians to bewail the backwardness of their aircraft design. They had established some of the finest and most useful airlines in the world. They would soon join hands with Imperial Airways in putting Melbourne on the map.