AIRMEN LAND ON MOUNTAIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18085, 19 February 1927, Page 24

AIRMEN LAND ON MOUNTAIN.

CERTIFICATE SIGNED AT TOP BY CLIMBER. (Special to the "Star.”) MANCHESTER, December 23. At his third attempt, Mr John Lceming, the Lancashire airman, to-dav landed safe.lv on Ilelvcllvn (31 IS feet) in an aeroplane, and flew back to Woodford Aerodrome. The experiment was undertaken by Mr Deeming to prove that modern aircraft have so improved as to permit of safe landing in difficult places. A week ago when he made his first attempt he was accompanied in another machine by Mr Bert Hinckler. the pilot who flew in the Schneider Cup race. They were defeated by fog which obscured the upper part of the mountain. Yesterday a second attempt was made in a strong wind, but the gale which they encountered in the mountain ranges was so fierce that Mr Leeming and Mr Hinckler, who on this occasion were living together in an AvroGosport machine, were driven back and landed at Lancaster, where engine trouble developed and where they stayed overnight. This morning conditions were more favourable and the airmen started on their third attempt at midday. The landing was safely accomplished at 1.35. In a reconnoitre of the mountain on foot a fortnight ago Mr Deeming chose two alternative landing places a little distance from the top of the mountain. The surface was very rough, but dalesmen had been employed to remove some of the boulders. Arrangements had also been made for strips of coloured fabric to be laid, marking dangerous spots that must be avoided, and a bonfire was to be lit so that the smoke should give the pilot the direction of the wind. 500 Feet “ Bump.” The actual landing, however, was on neither of these selected places. Instead the machine descended within ten yards of the stone cross which marks the summit of the mountain. A brief halt was made during which photographs were taken and a certificate was signed by a climber who happened to be on the top. At 1.50 the machine took off, but at Windermere another halt was made for petrol. Mr Deeming said that weather and visibility were quite good, but in the mountains the air currents were very treacherous. “ Some of the ‘ bumps,’ ” he said, “ were simply appalling, and on one occasion the machine dropped like a stone for 500 feet.” Children’s Treat. When the machine landed for petrol at Windermere it descended in Calgarth Park, now an orthopaedic hospital, containing children from all parts of the North of England. Tremendous excitement was caused among the children, who were having their Christmas treat. They Went out to see the' machine land, thinking Father Christmas was coming.