ACROSS THE POLES

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 3074, 23 June 1923, Page 5

ACROSS THE POLES

FUTURE ROUTES TOR AIR TRAFFIC IDEAL CONDITIONS FOR THE MACHINES AND PILOTS Major-General Sir W. S. Branekor, Director of Civil Aviation, urges Australia to wake up to the possibilities of aeroplane and 'airships. He states that lie is surprised that the Australians, who were such great air fighters during the war. have not' since beaten the world's records, with the advantage of their perfect atmospheric conditions.

He suggested that the Australians might work out the possibility of flying to South America via the .South Pole. Arctic and Antarctic conditions are ideal for air travel. The explorer St.efansson has been giving the air experts the most valuable information about the .Arctic climate conditions, and he asserts that they are better than normally prevail in .England. The visibility is excellent, and there is an absence of high winds. General Brancker is so impressed with Stefausson's facts, he states that he is only waiting for aeroplanes with a 0000 miles range to see British pilots fly to the other side of the world across the top. The great bugbear for airships, says General Brancker, is the varying temperature, which causes gas leakage. Arctic and Antarctic conditions would eliminate this loss, and therefore some air routes in the immediate, future'must be across Fie poles. Aeroplanes must also follow these routes later when food depots are established. "Cold does nor worry the pilots," said General Brancker, "and sooner or later crude oil will be used for air transport. That's a certainty. It has many advantages. If. carries the same weight })cr horse-power as the present fuel, eliminates magneto trouble, and makes the engine more reliable and gives it longer life. It also reduces'the risks of (Ire."

General Brancker hopes to see Australians' competing in forthcoming air events, of which the principal will be the King's Cup, the Aerial Derby, and the SehneUior Cup. There will be eontensts for seaplanes and low-powor giidvrs. The sporting wide of aviation is buckiL'g up in England, and intense interest is bev.ig taken in the air cle,ssies, for wbi.-.h big entries am nsaaret!.