New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-07-02
Byrds Conclusions Are Reported
To Be That Ocean Air Passenger
Service Is Not Possible At Once
Quoted in French Press as
Saying That Much Pre-
paratory Work Is Neces-
sary Before Such Routes
Can Be Established.

statement printed by the Petit Par
isien that 1t had been informed by
Commander Byrd that he and his
companions secured a mass of data
on air currents and altitude temper
atures and conditions to air navi-
CATION which in his opinion were
unique, and that he considered the
aim OF his flight was fully attained.
According to the paper, Comman-
der Byrd is cautious about predict
ing the future Of air transportation
service. He does 1t believe, the
paper quoted him as saying, that
transatlantic air travel is an i'm
mediate possibility; that great deal
of prepi atory work is necessary be-
fore such service can be established.
Make Fine Impression
Americas new "air ambassadors
have made an impression on France
in no way below that of their pre-
decessors.
The dramatic and almost tragic
end of their great fight has fired
French Imagination; they are heroes
of the hour. The public talks and
reads about nothing but them, the
newspapers almost entirely being
given over to long accounts Of their
flight. and their almost fatal landing
in the sea off Ver-Sur-Mer.
In intellectual circles the interest
is intense for there is a scientific
nature about the flight Of Comman-
der Byrd and his three companions
that appeals more than the sporting
quality, and the hope is expressed
that the commander will consent to
give some account of the valuable
observations made during the diff
cult journey, which all agree has
brought air transport within the
realm OF practical things.
Spend Night In Caen
On the eve OF triumphant entry
in Paris, the airmen found rest last
night from their arduous voyage
through fog. wind and rain, in the
Normandy town of Caen. Is miles
from where they came down on the
sea when their gasoline supply gave
out after they he'd sought for hours
to find lie Bourget flying held, The
goal. They retired disappointed at
not having ended the flight at Paris,
and over the loss of their data, yet
happy that they had been able to
save the mail entrusted to them and
their flags and instruments.
Calculates 1920 Miles
Commando Byrd calculates that
from the time the America took of
at Roosevelt field, N. Y. until the
forced landing was made, it covered
1900 miles. This would be 295
miles further than the distance COW
cred by Clarence D. Chamberlin and
Charles A. Levine in their recent
transatlantic flight from New York
to Germany. According to the fliers
they came down at $3.50 o'clock Fri
day morning. French standard time,
which would make their actual
time in the air AZ hours 6 minutes.
The time over the ocean was COM
puted by the commander as 10
hours.
Engines Removed
The America. badly damaged by
the impact Of landing on the water
rests on the beach at Ver-Sur-M er,
where is was hauled ashore by
fishermen and naval men from the
base at Cherbourg under the super
vision Of two Of the airmen. Bert
Acosta and Lieut.. Bernt Balchen.
The engines have been removed and
sent on their way to Paris with other
parts that could be readily removed.
Commander Byrd has not abandoned
hope that the plane can be salvaged.
Had to Make Speech
Caen did not let the opportunity
pass to acclaim the airmen when
they arrived from Fer-Sur-Mer.
After a dinner given in their honor
In the prefectorial palace-their Sec
ond meal in three days-the Ameri-
cans had to step out on the balcony
to acknowledge the greetings OF
about thousand persons who had
gathered in the rain to do them
honor. Responding to shouts for q
speech, Commander Byrd told Of his
pleasure over arriving in France.
The plane had enough fuel to carry
them beyond France and into other
countries, he explained, but. 1t had
always been his wish to set foot on
French soil first.
Flags Are Shown
Meanwhile Lieut.. Neville, radio
operator on the flight, held up inter-
twined American and French flags,
and this aroused the crowd to q
frenzy of enthusiasm.
Failure of the compass to work
was given by Commander Byrd as
the reason why the America could
not find the lie Bourget airdrome
after reaching the French coast. To
a staff correspondent Of the Asso-
ciated Press he told of flying through
clouds and fogs for 10 hours over
the Atlantic, without seeing any
thing.
Probably Over Paris
On reaching the French coast at
Finisterre. darkness fell and then
they were confronted with the diff
culties of finding Paris in a pouring
rain. The gasoline was rapidly CIV
ing out. as they strove- to pick up a
guiding gh- or signal, but nothing
was seen or heard. During this
time, he was certain that they had
been over Paris.
II didn't feel that we could fly on
until the gas was entirely out" he
said. There would have been dan
ger Of killing people who might have
been beneath. for when it gets out