FLYING THE TASMAN.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17533, 15 October 1928, Page 6

FLYING THE TASMAN.

The simple story of Flight-Lieuten-ant Ulm tells more than wordy panegyrics of the perils of the Southern Cross airmen had to face on their return flight across the Tasman. Their anxiety as they faced the strong head winds and squalls was shared in a measure by hundreds of thousands on both sides of the fan. As they approached their destination, with their fuel supply almost depleted, their own minds must have been harassed, whilst those who were keeping vigil on shore, listening to their messages, could but send forth prayers, spoken or unspoken, for their safety. All will be grateful that they heeded the advice which restrained them from attempting the flight during the even more • strong weather of the past few weeks. In admiration of the heroism of the airmen all the world is of one mindAs to the practical lesson to be learned there is room for difference of opinion. Flight-Lieutenant Ulm says: "Regarding the possibilities of a future transtasman regular airplane service our flight has been of great technical value. At present we know of no type of aircraft in production which is ideally suited to such a service, but we arc thoroughly convinced that such a type can, and will, in the comparatively near future, be developed and that the information we have gained on our pioneer flight will be of value to the operators of such a service, whether ourselves or others. However, in my opinion before such a service is put into operation at least a year, or probably two years, of work is ahead in research and preliminary organisation. Kingsford Smith and myself hope to have some hand in this in the future." ( To us it appears abundantly clear from the experience of these heroic aviators that regular flying across the Tasman must await very considerable improvements in the science of the living machine. Certainly the weather has been exceptionally severe during the past three or four months, but a delay of several weeks before the start of each journey plainly puts such undertakings, as Lieutenant Ulm admits, outside the sphere of practical business at the present time. However, the flights have been of value if only in proving this negative conclusion. They have also had the effect of arousing popular enthusiasm for flying in both Australia and New Zealand. This was one of the aims the airmen themselves had in view and they havereason to be gratified. Our own feelings are somewhat akin to those of the French general who, witnessing the charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava, is reported to have exclaimed: "Magnificent. But it is not war." The proof of the present impracticability of regular flying over this part of the Pacific only emphasises the heroism of those who came here and returned, facing dangers known and unknown.