Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-03
BY CAPT. F. T. w. COURTNEY.
By Gable to The Star and the North Amer
lean Newspaper Alliance.


lean Newspaper Alliance.
LONDON, July Our greatest
IrObiem in tackling the Atlantic from
The European side is the wind. AS
every one knows. the prevailing winds
here are from the southwest, and TO
fly against a direct current of air is to
lose speed to exactly the amount of
the speed of the wind
Naturally we should not attempt to
take off with head wind blowing, but
given that we start the flight with
favorable wind conditions, there is
always the chance that we might meet
say. a 0-mile-an-hour head wind
somewhere over the Atlantic.
1t has been asked how we can tell
the strength of the wind. In the first
place we hope to have reports from
the American and British meteor
illogical stations. which work in coop.
Grafton in determining weather con-
ditions in the Atlantic. Then with the
wireless we shall be able to obtain
weather reports from any ship with
which we can communicate. We also
have our own instruments for meas
uring any drifts caused by cross
winds, and we can always calculate
loss Of Roadway when we come to
check our position. Lastly, if the
water can be seen, it is always pos
sible to judge the strength of a wind
to certain extent by it's action upon
the waves.
For Nigh: Flying.
Incidentally, the number and va
riety of the observations that have to
be taken to determine the velocity of
the wind give some idea of the task on
the hands of Mr. DoWner. the navi.
gator
On the return flight we hope to be
able to travel at an altitude of from
5000 to 10000 feet above sea level.
The machine is fully fitted for night
fiying-that is. 1t will have equipment
to guide us when we are unable to see
because of darkness. ANY tendency
OF the plane to turn on it's side will
be shown Immediately on an auto.
matte indicator. I regard the test
made at F'riedricshafen, when the
boat flew with loads UP to seven tons
as eminently satisfactory With
another half ton we should certainly
be in splendid trim for the flight
Lake Constance is 400 feet above sea
level and, of course. the greater the
height the more difficult the lift. The
degree of air pressure. of course, is
another factor to be considered.
1t is possible that with a cold day
at Friedricshafen the same load could
be taken up more easily than on a
fine day at Calshot. which is on the
sea level.
Methods of wireless communication
with planes flying the Atlantic in the
future are foreshadowed by arrange
ments being made by the Marconi
organization, cooperating with the
Radio Corporation of America. so that
The Star and other associated news
papers Of the North American News
paper Alliance may be kept in almost
constant touch with the progress OF
the Courtney round-trip flight.
About every three hours Capt
Courtney. leader of the adventure tc
cross the Atlantic from east to west
and return. will flash messages from
the radio which will be carried in
the big Dornier Wal all-metal flying
boat. These messages, describing the
progress Of the flight and the impress
sions Of the three daring airmen, will
reach the New York Office OF the
North American Newspaper Alliance
and the London Office of the Westmin
ster Gazette within two or three min
utes after they have been dispatched
How it is planned to effect such close
contact is a remarkable story Of eff
Gent organization.
Capt. Courtney will follow closely