Logbook Entry, Boyd & Connor

An excerpt from the Airstrip Logbook before their transatlantic flight in 1930, written by Harry P. Connor, Navigator.

Document reads:

Weather conditions were favorable between P.E.I. and Hr. Grace, Nfld. on Sept. 23rd, so we took off and had an uneventful trip here. We flew direct compass courses, and made the passage in 4 hrs, 25min, averaging 111 MPH.

We are now awaiting favorable weather over the N. Atlantic for our flight to Croydon Airport, London, Eng. and are being well taken care of here. Everyone is co-operating with us, and we sincerely hope that it will not be long before Hr. Grace will be a terminal for regular transatlantic air service, and that the men who have worked so unselfishly for an airport here, will reap their reward. We consider the runway here in good shape for a take-off with a heavy load and in an advantageous location.

Errol and I had ample opportunity to check our ship and teamwork together on our recent N.Y. to Bermuda and return non-stop flight June 29, 1930 in the “Columbia”. We are well equipped for our flight. Our motor, the original Wright J.5 220 H.P. which Chamberlin and Levine flew to Germany with, and our instruments are perfect.

This flight is being undertaken by ourselves and is the result of years of work and scientific experimenting. We hope to prove the accuracy of our methods, similarly as on our Bermuda flight. We believe in safety first, and if the flight is not a success it will be our own fault! The “Columbia” is our baby!!!

H.P.C.