South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-29
FLYING NOW SAFE,
SAYS KEITH SMITH
Noted British Filler Says Law
Should Regulate Planes
and Aviators.

san FRANCISCO. Dec 2S-FIy-
ing IS now a recognized method Of
transportation and as safe as any
other under proper conditions
This Is the opinion Of Sir Keith
Smith. noted British aviator, who,
with his brother. tho late SIR Ross
Smith. made the first EuEland TO
Australia fight and who will next
spring attempt a round the world
hight
There should be stringent laws
dealing with both the machines and
the publications and training OF the
pilots" he declared when here re-
Gently making arrangements for oil
and petrol stations in the Aleutian
Islands and Alaska for his round
che world flight.
1T is vitality important that the
machines used for air transporta-
tion shall be right basicnlly and
and mechanically" he added and
likewise vitality essential that the
pilots training shall be complete
and broad enough 20 cover all con
ditious II the machines and pilots
are right practically all OF the haz-
ard Is taken from flying, and 1t is
the coming method OF transporta-
ton In Europe the London-Paris
and other continental lines are now
accepted successes. IN the United
states the air mail service is step
in the right direction. II Will dem
onstrate the commercial possiblli-
ties OF air lines IN this great CONT
nent."
World Flight Easy.
According to Sir Keith. the ap-
rarently dimcult task Of flying
around the world Is. after all, a
simple one.
ct Is largely a matter OF ground
organization" he declared. Il have
just come from China and japan.
where I made all ground arrange
mems for my fight Though those
countries. The arrangements made
for the Australian trip two years
ago will be duplicated on my round
the world fight as far as Siam.
There. instead OF flying 20 Australia,
7 will turn northward. skirting the
Chinese coast and apau to the Aleu-
tian Islands.
such details as petrol and oil
supply bases, spare part depots.
landing places and flight distances
are all worked out In advance. I
believe IN preparing for ali contin-
gencies. Then come what may
am prepared.
II always carry approximately a
2Oo-miUe supply OF oil and petrol in
excess OF my expected flight dis
lance. Thsn IL / am forced out OF
my way I have a reserve. Likewise
the emergency provisions are always
on board However, I do not aim
TO carry any excess weight. n any
thing can be left behind Il IS dis
pensed with.
For the trip across the Pacific
che first time Il has been attempt
ed I viii carry aout two weeks
condensed provisions - chocolate,
milk cubes and bottles for hot
drinks
ScOrns Heated Suit.
Sir Keith. who = n noted war avi-
ator. has never worn one OF the
electrically heated aviation suits af-
fected by some abiators and does
not plan to do so on his round the
world fight. They are too heavy and
cumbersome. he said.
Ills plane viii be equipped with a
radio set and radio direcuonal
finding set. BY getting into COM
rounScauon with two radio stations
while in fight or while resting on the
water-his plan IS amphibian-he
can get his location. He can also
communicate with passing Ships
while in the air TO ascertain posi-
ton or weather information.
The Japanese and Chinese govern
ments are enthusiastic i'm assisting
in plans for tho round the world
Fight, the aviator reported.
He may 80 quite a bit of night
flying on the Is. OOO-mile fight.
"AH ] need for night flying IS a
fun moon" ne said.
SIR Keith is now investigating the
feasibility of crossing the Atlantic
via Greenland, Iceland and Scot
land. He plans TO use this route
in completing his round the world
fight Il reports on conditions are
favorable.