RECORD ALTITUDE,

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19809, 28 November 1919, Page 3

RECORD ALTITUDE,

D.H. 4 CLIMBS 21,000 FEET. In the D.H, 4 military aeroplane from the Sockbnrn aerodrome Captain L. M. Iskt yesterday climbed to 21,000 ft. with a passenger, Mr .1. JO. .Moore, of the Aviation Company’s staff. The machine left the ground at 1.40 p.m. and fieiv almost due east until over New Brighton, when a course was set northwards. The aeroplane was soon out of sight, although the sky was bine and the few light clouds were high. The machine came over the city again,, and after several turns over St Albans returned to the aerodrome, where Captain Isitt landed at 3.80 p.m. after a flight of an hour and forty minutes. Captain Isitt stated on his return that he reached just under 21.000 ft. The wind on the ground was northeasterly, hut up above it was a strong sou’-wester. The maximum altitude was reached just over Kaiapoi, north of which he did not fly. The visibility was very good, and a. fine view was obtained of the Kaikoura ranges, the Southern Alps and. the plains extendi'?. 1 * towards South Canterbury. The engine went remarkably well. Captam Isitt added that, the machine, which has dual controls, was flown from about 8000 ft to 17,009 ft by Mr Moore, who bad token bis pilot’s ticket on the Cam dron machines at Sockbnrn. Captain Isitt’s flight was .an altitude record for Non' Zealand, since the highest flights up til] yesterday, made, in the Bristol fighter, did not exceed 10.000 feet.