ALONG THE SKYWAYS

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19010, 29 July 1933, Page 9

ALONG THE SKYWAYS

AVIATION PROGRESS.

NEWS FROM ALL PARTB.

ACTIVITIES AT TE RAPA.

(By “Pilot.")

Although the wet weather last Saturday precluded any flights being made at Te Rapa, there has been considerable activity at the aerodrome over the rest of the week. On Sunday several pupils were given instruction, including license aspirants from Huntly and Ranglrlrl. Mr Harvle, flying the Western Federation’s plane, ZK—AAX, arrived from New Plymouth on Monday evening, and left the following morning for Auckland. Two ■machines, Mr M. Scott’s Moth, ZK —• ACK, and the Auckland Areo Club's Moth ZK—AAL, flew from Auckland to Te Rapa on Wednesday, and returned later la the day. EVEREST CONQUERED. ASSAULT FROM THE AIR. The Houston Mount Everest expedition has successfully oonquered the summit of Mount Everest, as both the Houston Westland and Westland Wallace tmaohines flew over the mountain, says the Shell Aviation News. The machines took off at 08.25 hours from the base at Purnea, and landed three hours later. The whole flight was eminently successful, but so that further photographio work can be undertaken a second attempt will be made as soon as weather conditions are suitable.

In a report speolally drawn up for The Times, Squadron-Leader Lord Clydesdale, the chief pilot of the expedition, stated that heavy dust haze almost completely obscured the ground up to the higher mountain ranges which made aerial survey work impossible.

Letters Carried Over Mountain,

The aotual summit of Mount Everest was flown over at 10.05 hours, the machines clearing the mountain by 100 feet. The wind velocity was noticeably high near the summit, but no bumps were felt by either alr- ■ craft. Fifteen minutes were spent flying In the neighbourhood of the summit and on account of The smooth flying conditions close range photographs were taken. A number of letters carried over the top of Mount Everest in the Westland Wallace included letters to H.M. King George V, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, Lady Houston and the Editor of The Times. They are being sent on by air mall from Karaohl and bear a speoial cancelling stamp. The flight marks another event in the advancement of aviation and every tribute is due not only to the pilots, but also to Lady Houston, the maohines, the engines and all who were oonneotefl with the preparations for suoh an achievement. CIVIL AVIATION. DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA. It has long been recognised that when Sino-Japanese differences around Shanghai were settled there would be a considerable development in Chinese aviation. An indict ion of a return to normal conditions was manifested last year by the formation of an association under the name of the "National Aviation Association.’’ The main object of tills Was stated to be the development of aeronautics In China, especially for national defence. In October another association oame Into being styled "The China National Salvation Aviation Association,” and by the middle of November the two associations were amalgamated, under the name of the former. Generalissimo C'hianh Kai-shek, who is incidentally chairman of the Military Affairs Commission of the National Government, has been, and still Is, taking a keen personal Interest in this aviation association which may account for tho fact that some twenty prominent ■Chinese leaders In Shanghai have been prevailed upon by the Mayor of Shanghai (Chinese Municipality) to serve as directors, etc.

The professed objects of the “National Aviation Association" are firstly to educate the general public In aviation matters and secondly (perhaps even more Important from their point of view) to raise funds by public subscription for the purchase of both mii.tary and commercial aircraft. A fair amount of propaganda has been disseminated already stressing the importance to China of the building up of a large and efficient Air Force.