New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-08-31
LEVINE CHERISHED
ATLANTIC flight
Vas His Fond Hope for More
Than Five Years


long years Charles A. Levine. Amer
lean aviation enthusiast, looked for
ward to flying across the Atlantic
and flying back again: it was one OF
his cherished hopes, conceived when
he began to take an interest In
aviation, which came with prosper
ity.
He divulged this IN the course Of
of talk with a correspondent OF the
Associated Press in his elaborate
suite at the Hotel Savoy.
Even his wife did not know OF his
kept to himself for such a long
time that he thought at times he
would bubble over with enthusiasm.
He said he just had to talk with
some one now and then, and he did
with his wife. but he still never quite
revealed all his longings and expec-
tations, even to her. When he felt
he must talk aviation with her, he
talked more as II he we're interested
impersonally from things he read in
the newspapers, SO. he declared, for
years no one really knew his hearts
desire in that direction.
After crossing the Atlantic IN the
same way that he came to Europe,
Mr.. Levine said he planned to set
tie down and head a commercial
concern which would pretty well
cover the United States.
This Is all old stuff to me per-
sonally-this planning of a transat-
lantic hop" he asserted.
Got Idea in 1922
When asked by the correspondent
when he first conceived flying across
the Atlantic, he looked at his ques-
toner very curiously and replied:
How did you happen to put that
question? don't recall that anyone
ever asked me that before. Well, it
was back in 1922 got the idea in
my head OF flying across the Allan
tic. The thought struck me one day
or was it night. After I had been
reading a good deal in the papers
about long distance flights it came
to me In this way-first, that Sir
Arthur Written Brown and Alcock
had succeeded three years before
who would be the next?
1T was advertising that did it; ad-
vertising, that's what it was Alcock
and Brown started the ball rolling,
but 1t took three years before the
ball came rolling along in my direc-
ton, but when it hit, it struck me
square between the eyes, and then I
began to make plans. At first
crossing, but I soon realized
wanted to recross, and here I am.
The Columbia is all ready, and so is
the engine. The motor has had only
ITO hours and she's good for three
or four hundred; SO the same motor
Is going to take me back" Asked
about his plans for the future, Mr..
Levine said his life would be devoted
to aviation. adding:
Possibilities Unlimited
There are unlimited possibilities.
l think the strides to be made the
next few years are almost beyond
conception of the human mind"
AS he talked, Mr.. Levine, wearing
a tight fitting slate-colored business
suit with white stripes, sat In a big
arm chair which would easily have
accommodated man twice his size.
He appeared to be in splendid
health. and that he was keen about
talking on aviation was the immedi-
ate impression he gave.
Greatest Event in Life
"Of course he went on, this
Transatlantic flight 1. the big thing
with me now. I have an under
standing with Captain Hinchcliffe,
and this flight is the one great thing
in my life. Hinchcliffe is willing to
take a sporting chance, and we will
be off the first indications of good
weather. Then-well I won't say
too much about my plans OF linking
up American cities. I have learned
great deal here in France and Ger
many about civil aviation. It is
making tremendous strides, especi-
ally in Germany. There are hundreds
Of airdromes over there, even many
little towns have airdromes, and I
got wonderful dreams of doing great
things for aviation in America"
At that time Mrs Levine, who was
packing her effects in the next room
preparatory to entraining for Ply
mouth to make the steamer lie de
France, called out Charley, you
are wasting too much time sitting in
there talking shop. Come here and
help me close this bag" And
Charley did, remarking. You see
who's boss hereabouts, don't you?
The boss OF the family is right in
there"