As pleasing to flyers as any other kudos is the International League of Aviators' accolade for flyer-of-the-year. Last week, in Paris, the League announced whom it regarded as the most significant flyers of 1928. It was a specialists' tribute to specialists. The names form an epitome of air adventure. Capt. Arturo Ferrarin of Italy, his fel lows believe, accomplished the best feat of the year. With Major Carlo Delprete, he flew non-stop from Rome to Port Natal, Brazil, 4,417 miles in 51 hr. 59 min. Capt. Ferrarin's predecessor, in 1927, was of course Col. Charles Augustus Lindbergh — New York-Paris, 3,600 miles, 33 hr. 30 min., all alone.
Dr. Hugo Eckener received the lighter-than-air trophy for his command of the Graf Zeppelin. His peer for 1927 was Lieut. Commander Charles Emery Rosendahl of the U. S. S. Los Angeles. Lady Mary Bailey was the best woman flyer last year, Lady Mary Heath the next best. Each flew between London and Capetown, in opposite directions. "Best flyers" designated for various countries are:
U. S.: Carl Ben Eielson, who flew the Arctic with Sir George Hubert Wilkins. Both are in Antarctica now, preparing to return to the U. S. after flights in Graham Land. Australia: Capt. Charles E. Kingsford-Smith, who flew the Southern Cross from the U. S. to Australia. England: Harold ("Bert") Kinkier, solo from England to Australia. Spain:
Capt. Francisco Jiminez—with Capt. Ignacio Iglesias, from Spain towards India. After 27 hours flying a sandstorm forced them down in Mesopotamia. Germany: Capt. Herman Koehl—in the Bremen from Ireland to Labrador. France: Capt. Dieudonné Costés—with Lieut. Commander Joseph Lebrix, on a 35,000-mile world aerial tour. Italy: Capt. Ferrarin. In Latin America the best flyers were: Venezuela, Capt. Manuel Rios, Ecuador, Capt. Luis Mantilla; Bolivia, Major Santalla Estrella;
Salvador, Capt. Nunez; Honduras, Pilot Garay; Guatemala, Commandant Morales Lopez; Cuba, Capt. Delaborde; Peru, Carlos Martinez de Pinillos; Mexico, Emilio Carranza. Best known in the U. S. was Mexico's Carranza, who flew through fogs, storms and engine trouble from Mexico City to Washington. As he was trying to fly back, lightning struck his plane, killed him.