CONQUEST OF THE AIR.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 30 December 1926, Page 5

CONQUEST OF THE AIR.

FLIGHT TO NEW ZEALAND. JOURNEY OF SEVEN DAYS. (Per Press Association —Copyright). LONDON, December 28. Flight-Commander Courtney, whois planning a lightning flight to New Zealand by means of non-stop flights of 1200 miles day and night, using a large multi-engined flying boat, proposes to reach New Zealand in seven days, at a speed of 100 miles an hour. He was rejected when attempting to, join the Air Force in war-time, because he wore glasses and therefore was valueless as a pilot. He enlisted as a mechanic, however, and returned from France with the rank of Flight-Commander. Flight-Commander F. T. Courtney was the pilot who demonstrated the capabilities of Senor de la. Cierva’s wonderful auto-giro before 4h«~aero^nautical experts of Britain. FTight-dommanSer Courtney is’ oohsidered to be one of the greatest exponents of aeroplanes and has unsurpassed experience and technical knowledge. At present he is one of the most successful men in aviation. PREVENTIVE HYGIENE. LONDON, Dec. 28. The Air Force Flying Manual devotes a special section to preventive hygiene in relation to Hying. It points out that descent from a high altitude necessitates repeated swallowing for the purpose of equalising air pressure within the ears by the eutachian tubes, connecting the throat with the ear drum. It recommends pilots to chew gum, which, by producing saliva, facilitates swallowing, which is often difficult during descent, owing to the throat being parched. The manual advocates clicking the ears (by pinching the nose, and forcing the air in the chest into the nose until the click is heard). When sudden descent is imperative, it also urges the avoidance of excessive smoking, likely to lead to throat congestion, and care of teeth, and recognises officially the word “aerobatics” as defining manoeuvres outside normal turns and landings.