44
Then
One actually had its engine run just before work finished.
On Wednesday morning all engines were tested on the
ground, no trouble being experienced with starting up.
about 10.30 Colonel Chau, the pilot of the Ryan Seaplane that
flew round China, and Commanding Officer of the Training
School at Tai Sha Tau, took the first Avian into the air.
The machine left the ground and climbed rapidly, lonel
Chau handling it as though he had been accustomed to flying
this particular type all his life. After a short flight
lasting twenty minutes he brought the machine down, making
a perfect landing. Shortlyfter, lonel Chau took Mr.
Vaughan Fowler for a flight. In the air the Clonel offered
the piloting of the Avian to Mr. Vaughan Fowler, who finished
the flight and landed the machine.
The afternoon developed into a small aerial display,
the instructors testing the remaining three machines. Major
Wong distinguished himself by taking off and, after making
cert in that the machine was correctly rigged, giving an
exhibition of stunting, performing many loops, spins and rolls.
The other machines were stunting almost at once, and before
work came to an end the four Avians left the ground in
formation, making a demonstration flight over the city.
The Chinese pilots expressed their satisfaction with
the machines and engines in most enthusiastic terms, and all
demonstrated their confidence in British aircraft and aero
engines by stunting on their first flights.
Three more Avians and three extra irrus engines are
due to arrive on March 12, and these will be shipped to
Canton and erected. The remaining three of the ten ordered
will arrive about ten days to a fortnight later.