AIRMAN’S GREAT PLAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 152, 30 June 1932, Page 10

AIRMAN’S GREAT PLAN

DOUBLE ATLANTIC FLIGHT MR. moLlison’s PROJECT TOTAL JOURNEY OF 6300 MELES Details of the proposed double transAtlantic air flight contemplated by Mr. J. A. Mollisun were published in London last month by the Daily Express. The proposal was that the flight should be made the end of June. The plans for the flight were stated as follows:—The 120-miie-an-hour airplane should do the outward journey in 26 to 28 hours, according to the weather, and the homeward trip in 22 to 24 hours. The total journey will be about 6300 miles. A stop of six to ten hours, for sleep and refuelling, will be made in‘New York. The Portmarnock Aerodrome, County Dublin, will be the point of departure. The straight line followed by Atlantic shipping will provide the route. Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, will be the first land sighted on the other side, fhe American coast will then be followed to New York. On the return journey the same route will be taken. As the machine will be fitted with wireless, the airman hopes to be in touch with passing liners throughout his great adventure. “I mean to undertake this double Atlantic flight for one reason only," Mr. Mollison said in an interview. "I want to prove the supreme merit of English airplanes and English engines. Easier Than the Cape Trip * 1 There is not a doubt in my mind that the flight can be accomplished. An English machine and engine can do it. There is far less hazard in the double Atlantic flight which I contemplate than in, say, a solo flight to the Cape. *‘With the Atlantic air journey the pilot knows exactly what weather he is likely to meet because of the meteorological reports which are coming in from ships scattered about the Atlantic. There is no such weather service in the case of a flight across Africa. "It is true that if your engine cuts out when flying the Atlantic you come down in the sea. But the chances against a tested British pi;;- :' that ar? more than twent >nc k

Besides, it is estimated that at any point on the Atlantic flight a pilot is within 50 miles of a ship on the regular sea route. "I consider that I have accomplished many more dangerous flights in my record-breaking efforts from Australia to England and from England to the Cape than this double Atlantic crossing. My longest non-stop flight up to the present has been 1840 miles. After doing it I came down to fill up with fuel and continued straight away for another 1000 miles. Only One Sleep Needed •‘I am confident that I can accoin- ‘ %sh the extra non-stop mileage which ■ will be entailed in flying the Atlantic. J The question of rest does not worry 1 me overmuch. On my flights from Australia to England I had only ten I hours’ sleep in eight days. "A stop in New York while my r machine is ‘turned, round’ and made ‘ ready for the flight home will give me ’ just sufficient sleep to carry me over 1 the return." > A new problem faces Mr. Mollison t now ihat he has just become engaged to Miss Amy Johnson. His Atlantic ’ scheme provides for solo flying. She . wanted, above all things, to accomJ pany Mr. Mollison—particularly if the ■ wedding took place before the flight. 3 ‘‘l do not think he should risk his • life alone," she said. Mr. Mollison, however, had won the 1 battle so far. “We have talked it • over," he said, "and I am sure that 1 Miss Johnson appreciates my point of 1 view. Tn any case, the double Atlanta tic crossing will be the last recordbreaking attempt I shall make. T shall 5 be content when success comes to me in that endeavour. After all, you must f not keep on too long."