MISS BATTEN WARNED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 244, 15 October 1936, Page 7

MISS BATTEN WARNED

MAGNETIC DISTURBANCES i AROUND NEW ZEALAND COAST I ; [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ADELAIDE, Out. 14. A warning to Jean Batten of magnetic disturbances around the Nev. Zealand coast that would make her compass an unreliable guide in blinc | flying has been voiced by an authority on this subject. He said that if cloudiness prevented the usual navigation by sun or stars when approaching the coast reliance on the compass waslikely to take the pilot hundreds ol miles oft the course. He added that these magnetic disturbances arounc New Zealand are caused by geologica formations, such as deposits of magnetite. "NO DANGEu MR. STANNAGE’S VIEWS EXPERIENCES ON TASMAN FLIGHTS. [Per Press Association) AUCKLAND, Oct. 14. “Miss Jean Batten should not have any compass trouble at all,’’ said Mr J. S. W. Stannage, of Auckland, in referring to the cabled message iron - Adelaide concerning magnetic disturbances said by an expert to be e danger on the New Zealand coast especially if flying “blind.” Mr. Stannage five times crossed the Tasmar with the late Sir Charles Kingsforc Smith. “There are certain places arounc the New Zealand coast where magnetic disturbances have an effect or compasses,” he said. "White Island i; one. Any surface navigator will tel you that variations do occur in some places but if Miss Batten flies higl she should not have .any compass trouble at all. Given a reasonably line day, she will be able to see the New Zealand coast when she is 15C miles away.” The only occasion on which compass trouble was experienced by the late Sir Charles Kingsford Smith when Mr. Stannage was with him as wireless operator was during the famous Atlantic flight but that was due to electrical disturbances. Mr Stannage said that compass trouble had never been experienced around the New Zealand coast during the live flights across the Tasman. Confirmation of the statement that Miss Batten should not experience compass trouble was given by FlyingOfficer C. E. Kay who flew across the Tasman with Captain J. D. Hewitt after the Melbourne Centenary Air Race. There was never any suggestion on that occasion that the ’plane’s compass had been affected.