Sticking To Safety First, Is Airman’s Statement

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18578, 28 September 1928, Page 9

Sticking To Safety First, Is Airman’s Statement

’PLANE WILL NOT LEAVE NEW ZEALAND UNTIL CONDITIONS ARE SUITABLE.

SPECIAL PREPARATIONS BEING MADE FOR NIGHT LANDING AT CONCLUSION OF RETURN HOP.

“ We may be delayed for two or three weeks as we are sticking to safety first, and definitely will not leave until fair average conditions prevail.” THE foregoing statement is made by Flight-Lieutenant Ulin in a special message telegraphed by the New Zealand Press Association to-day. He also says it is almost certain that they will arrive in Australia after dark, and they have asked for special lighting arrangements. The full statement is as follows:

WELLINGTON, September 28. (Copyright.) Lieutenant Ulm telegraphs to the Press Association as follows: Unfortunately we will be unable to accede to many requests to go further south to Timaru, Oamaru and Dunedin, as previously planned. Everywhere we have visited in New Zealand We have been received most enthusiastically and it is indeed pleasing to find that our flight has stimulated a tremendous amount of public interest in aviation throughout the Dominion. Prior to our arrival there was practically no civil aviation activity in New Zealand, but we are happy to know that our flight has been the cause of seven or eight aero clubs being formed and the public are now practically clamouring for the establishment of regular air services in the Dominion. Blenheim is particularly enthusiastic and has prepared a magnificent taking-off ground for our return flight to Australia. Nearly 6000 feet of runway into the prevailing wind is now ready, and enthusiastic residents are completing the erection of a temporary hangar to house the Southern Cross in case of our being delayed by unfavourable weather reports. Dr Kidson, Government Meteorologist, arrived in Christchurch yesterday to spend the day with us in discussing meteorological aspects of the forthcoming return flight. His help throughout has been invaluable. Under Mr M’Williams’s supervision the radio equipment has been repaired and was tested yesterday. We hope to leave for Blenheim this afternoon, where we will fuel the machine and await favourable weather reports. It is practically certain that we will have head winds travelling at about twenty-five miles per hour throughout the whole of the return flight, and therefore it maytake anything from eighteen to twenty-four hours. Subject to the weather we will leave Blenheim be-

tween one ami. and six a.m., and therefore cannot at present give even an approximate time of arrival at the Richmond Aerodrome, but as it is almost certain that we will arrive at Richmond after dark we are cabling asking that lighting facilities in the way of flood lights, etc., be prepared. We are also asking that, if possible, searchlights be played at both Sydney*, Newcastle, Bulli and Wollongong, also to have distinguishing lights when we are coming over. Dr Kidson informs us that there is a probability of an anti-cyclone existing on the eastern coast of Australia and that it is possible that within the next week we may have conditions favourable enough to warrant our taking off, but would ask the public to bear in mind that we may be delayed for two or three weeks, as we are sticking to safety first and definitely will not leave until fair average conditions prevail. The hail through which we flew coining over tore off a good deal of the protective paint covering on the leading edge of our wings, but this has since been reconditioned by the Air Force here, and by to-day we w 11 bo satisfied that the good old Southern Cross is in as good a condition as when we left. After our tests, and after our consultation with Dr Kidson we will communicate again and hope to give you more definite news regarding our projected departure. The Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, and Lady Fergusson have been very kind in asking us to spend as many days as we can in seclusion and rest at Government House in Wellington prior to our departure, and we will avail ourselves of this kind invitation should unfavourable weather conditions hold us up for a few days at Blenheim, as throughout our tour we have attended innumerable functions in our honour and we are now really physically tired.