Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-19
GERMANY TO SEEK
iafNEW AIR. RECORD:
Berlin-to-S Francisco Hop
lin go Hours Will Be At
tempted by Ace.

$50
-. BERLIN. June 1S.-Inspired by the
success of the transatlantic flights OF
Lindbergh and Chamberlin. interests
s. in Germany are now planning to estab'
l;sn new world record crossing to
the West, to San Francisco and re-
y turn with the name of Anton koen-
necke, German World War ace. def
enitely linked up with the project.
1t developed today that Koennecke
was quietly given a leave of absence
from Lufthansa, the German Aerial
LEA que. recently for three months
during which he is expected to organ
ize Berlin-New York-San Francisco
nonstop flight.
While his hackers have not been
diyulged. it is generally assumed that
he will fly for the Rohrback works,
. whose latest three-motor models at
tEacted much attention at the Copen-
hagen International Aviation Exhibit
ton. ~.
Carry Fuel for 20 Hours.
The plane in which Koennecke hopes
to reach San Francisco in so hours,
making So hours for the crossing to
New York, will carry sufficient fuel
for 20 hours and, it is hoped, will be
capable of maintaining an average
speed of slightly over 200 kilometers.
Q24 miles, an hour. The plane, which
will be all metal and will have three
motors, will be so equipped that it
can start and land both on land and
water.
To escape questioning about his
plans, Koennecke quietly slipped from
Berlin for the week end, during which
he wants to formulate further plans
which now call for hop-off on July rs
with the arrival in San Francisco on
July %. The plane would remain in
the latter city only four days before
starting on return flight. The dates
however, may be advanced. A relief
pilot will be carried as we'll as two
passengers, one of them an unnamed
industrialist who is said to be finan-
cling the venture.
Pilot Has Fine Record.
Koennecke is known as one of the
most reliable and daring of the pilots
In Germany and always has been
selected by Lufthansa to, fly routes
which are difficult from a meteorolog-
ical viewpoint One of the most diff
cult stretches in the German air
service is the Berlin Munich route by
way of the Thuringian Forest. Here
fogs and clouds battle most pilots. but
Koennecke has never failed to bring
Koennecke started out in the war
as a private, but showed such cool
Medicines and ability as an aviator
that he was promoted at one jump
from private to lieutenant. which is
a promotion almost unheard of in the
German army. During the war, Koen
necke, who is now 35 years old and
is married, was credited with victories
over 46 planes and was rewarded with
the highest military decoration.
After the war, koennecke, like
most other aces whose military
careers ended with Germany's dis.
armament, turned to commercial fly
ing.
The ministry of communications has
approved of the prospective attempt
by, Koennecke to fly to San Francisco
next month. and it is announced that
the government is prepared to lend
the undertaking all possible support, |
provided it does not lead to propa-
ganda on the part of one aerial com,
pany at the expense OF another
The authorities win place weather
and wireless services at. the disposal
of the German aviatorS and furnish
the same aid and facilities as would
be accorded to American flyers to
Germany.
It is pointed out, however. that
aviators before starting must submit
their project to the foreign office, as
they would not only be proceeding
to America as pacemakers for a regu.
lar intercontinental service--to be ex-
pected within few years-but also
would be delegates representing the
German people.