“SECOND TO NONE IN WORLD”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21186, 5 November 1938, Page 17

“SECOND TO NONE IN WORLD”

Australia’s Aerial Safety Extensive Construction Programme High Value of Radio Beacons United Press Association—Bs Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 4, 10.55 p.m.) MELBOURNE, November 4. Australia's proposed organisation for aircraft safety will be second to none in the world, according to the evidence of Squadron-Leader C. S. Wiggins, radio expert on the Civil Aviation Board at the Kyeema Inquiry. The work done in the last eighteen months, Squadron-Leader Wiggins said was more than that undertaken by any other country at any time. He said that delays in the operation of the Lorenz radio beacon were made in the interests of maximum safety, and to obtain the best possible system. He considered the Lorenz beacon the best type at present, but only two were available in Australia, and it would take months before more could be obtained. In the meantime he was sure they would have suitable receivers developed by the Amalgamated Wireless. Squadron-Leader Wiggins said the Essendon beacon would be operating within a fortnight. The actual cost of the seven beacons now installed was £60,000 to £70,000. He denied that a plane had been specially obtained from Adelaide for the tests, because of the disaster. Negotiations were made before then. The inquiry then adjourned till Monday.