New-York tribune., 1919-03-27
DirigibIe Remains in Air
Nineteen and One-Half
Hours Under the Most
Unfavorable Conditions
15O-Mile Biplane Enters
G. Handley Page Says Sea
Trip Is Practicable, but
Not a Commercial Idea
Neto York Tribune
Europeau Bureau


Copyright. 1919. New York Tribune Inc)
LONDON, March 26.-Failing to ac-
comphsh the 1,900-mile trip around
Ireland, but succeeding in remaining
in the air nineteen and a half hours
under the worst possible conditions,
encountering hail and snow, with water
freezing in the tanks, Great Britain's
greatest airship. the R34. gained an
experience which will prove invalu-
able in the forthcoming attempt to
cross the Atlantic.
The primary purpose of the voyage
was to try out certain experiments,
which proved entirely satisfactory to
the experts. The latter now believe
that, given fair wether conditions.
nothing could prevent successful
ocean crossing.
Sidney Pickles entered the "Daily
Nails competition fight across the
Atlantic to-day with his biplane, which
has top speed of $50 miles an hour
and cruising speed Of 12D miles an
hour. He Is one of Britain's most
experienced aviators and did great
work as instructor and leader in the
bombing squadron OF the naval air
service. Mr.. Pickles said:
IL intend to start from st. John earlv
in April and will attempt to reach
Southampton. If / am able to start as
soon as the others | will get across
first hands down. The only thing now
worrying me is that If the weather is
good other competitors may start be-
fore me-"
War Engine To Be Used
Mr.. Pickles's engine is $50 horse
power Eagle Rolls-Royce machine.
specially built to fight the Branden-
burg monoplane, and represents the
last word in British fighting airplanes.
Within n few days the Martyrside
company intends to send a 285 horse
power biplane, piloted by Frederick
Naynham and navigated by Captain
G. w. F. Norman, across the ocean.
The start will be from Newfoundland.
builder Of the huge bombing planes
with which, had the war lasted few
more days, Berlin would have been de-
vastated, in discussing the proposed
transatlantic flight for The Tribune
to-day from the viewpoint of one
henceforth devoted to commercial
aviation entirely, said:
II regard the transatlantic flight
as a great, spectacular attraction. but
as one that will not affect CONNER
eial flying prospects. In my opin-
ION 1T is just a physical test of en-
durance, both on the part of the ma
chine and pilot. The successful flyer
will make record which will further
attract the attention of the public to
flying possibilities, but there the
matter will end from the business
standpoint.
$50 far as we are able to foresee.
there is no future for commercial
transatlantic flights. The difficulties
of navigation due TO fogs and gales are
TOO great. Air commerce must be a
solid, well sustained and carefully or
ganized industry, completely indepen-
dent of weather vagaries. For this
reason the future of commercial flying,
IN my judgment, lies in the East and
IN the tropics, where all conditions are
favorable
East Offers Best Opening
There are great opportunities of
establishing regular commercial fights
between London and Egypt, Cape Town,
~t-~ hcSPiilS SEncOuic Oh
time as regular as that of ocean liners
and carrying valuable merchandise and
passengers under luxurious conditions.
OF course, the most careful organ
lzation is needed, but apart from this
my big bombing machines are in con-
dltlon to start the service almost i'm
mediately.
Il am not suggesting the improba
niilty of transatlantic flight. Indeed,
we are ready to supply a machine for
IT., but net under record breaking con-
dltions when the minds of those aboard
are rlvetted on the likelihood of sue
cess. When we cross it will be in abso-
iute comfort. l wish Mr. Hawker and
the other competitors all the luck
Imaginable"
Asked about the prospects Of the
hIa:ndiey Page 1900 horse power ma
chine reported ready in America To
start on fight across the Atlantic.
Mr. Page said:
II am not aware of any such ma
chine being sent to America, but / be-
neve there is one of our airplanes OF
that description in the United States