RAPID GROWTH OF CIVILIAN FLYING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20190, 5 July 1928, Page 7

RAPID GROWTH OF CIVILIAN FLYING

LIGHT AEROPLANE CLUBS IN BRITAIN CROSS-CHANNEL TRAFFIC [ By Telegraph—Per Press Assn. —Copyright ] [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, July 3. The rapid growth of civil flying, the large increase in privately-owned aircraft and the absence of accident in the regular British air services arc the chief features in the official report on the progress made by civil aviation for the last year, issued to-day. For the third year in succession no passenger was injured through mishap to any aeroplane in the British Isles. A record number of 28,764 passengers was carried on the cross-Channel services by British and foreign aircraft, an increase of over 3000 on the figure for 1926. The British share amounted to 57 per cent. The value of goods received from or despatched to the Continent during the year was the record figure of £2,691, 000, almost exactly double the figure for 1924. Bullion and gold and silver coin, carried to and from the Continent amounted to nearly £8,000,000. The outstanding technical development of the year was the substitution of metal construction for wood and fabric. The membership of light aeroplane clubs doubled during the year and the number of privately-owned machines, with the result that long-distance touring by light ’plane.: has increased considerably. The British development of amateur flying has promoted a similar movement in many other parts of the world and repeated proofs which have been given of the reliability and economy of the British light aeroplanes have gained for the British makers a good lead in supplying th.e rapidly-in-creasing overseas demand. The evolution of production methods in light aeroplane construction has already begun with a consequent reduction in prices. WILKINS DISCUSSES HIS ANTRACTIC FLIGHT DOES NOT INTEND TO FLY TO THE POLE. [ Australian Press Assn. ] NEW YORK, July 3. Sir George Wilkins, in discussing his proposed Antarctic flight, said the purpose was to explore the south side of the Pacific with a view to establishing twelve meteorological stations, by which the weather could be forecasted u month in advance. He dismissed the idea that he was competing with Commander Byrd, and pointed out that the latter contemplates flying to the Pole from a base, whereas Sir George Wilkins plans to do all the actual work during one 24hour flight, never approaching within 800 miles of the Pole. MOST DARING FLIGHT YET ATTEMPTED ETj THOUSAND MILES NONSTOP. I Australian Press Assn. 1 ROME, July 3. The Air Ministry announces that Ferrarin will not leave till Tuesday evening. His flight is the most daring yet attempted, aiming to reach South America, a 7000 miles non-stop flight, in 55 to 60 hours, using a 600 horse-power Savoia machine, capable of flying 150 miles an hour, with a flying range of 65 hours. AERIAL BATTLES AND NIGHT ATTACKS JAPANESE MANOEUVRES. [ Australian Press Assa. ] TOKIO, July 2. An Osaka message states that the largest aerial manoeuvres in the history of Japan will start on Tuesday, featuring aerial battles and night attack, all departments co-operating in an effort to reproduce actual fighting conditions. NEW ZEALANDER FOR TASMAN DASH? OFFER TO CAPTAIN SMITH. [ Per Press Association ] ’ WELLINGTON, July 4. A New Zealand-born officer, Mr D. Burgess, following the requests of a deputation, has cabled Captain Kingsford Smith, offering his services as navigator for the trans-Tasman flight. He is third officer on the Makura, and not unknown to Captain Smith, I having mec him on several occasions when the Makura was at ’Frisco. There is a feeling that the flight should be shared by a New Zealander, and it was this that the deputation put to Mr Burgess. No difficulty is anticipated with the Union Steam Ship Co. in getting leave should Captain Kingsford Smith favour the request. NAVIGATOR DEFINITELY CHOSEN 1 Australian Press Assn. I Received July 4, 11 p.m. SYDNEY, July 4. The navigator for the coming flight to New Zealand will be Mr Litchfield, I at present third officer of the Union Company’s steamer Waiotapu. He was formerly third officer on the Tahiti. Mr Litchfield is an Australian. He has been granted leave by the Union Company to undertake the flight. His appointment was made before Captain Kingsford Smith learned of the New Zealand Government’s wish for a native-born New Zealander to act as navigator.