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about four hours until the mechanical was corrected. We then took off for Gander, Newfoundland and after about 9 hours and 30 minutes we landed there. At about mid-point across the ocean, the primary hydraulic system failed and all of the hydraulic fluid was lost. However, there was enough fluid in the secondary system to lower the landing gear and provide brake action. No flaps were used in the landing. The Captain did a creditable job.

After a delay of about two or three hours, the repairs to the hydraulic system were completed and we departed from Gander for Boston and New York (regular scheduled stops), using Cleveland, Ohio, as an alternate.

The weather at both Boston and New York was below limits, so we went to our alternate, Cleveland, where we arrived some 30 hours after leaving London, England. In trying to learn as much as I could from observing A.O.A.'s operation, I tried to react to what I saw from both as a passenger and as a pilot. The passenger handling was excellent. The emphasis was placed on food served at frequent intervals and with sufficient variety. On the outward bound flight we were offered a choice of cocktails, Martinis or Manhattans, or a glass of Sherry wine, after leaving Boston. While enjoying the cocktail, a huge tray of canapes was passed around. The canapes were numerous and varied and very tasty. Along about this time, I was offered another drink. The Stewardess was posed with the problem of a passenger who pounced upon the opportunity of free drinks. She handled him very skillfully and he got no more than two, as did everyone else. Along about this time, we were informed that we would land at Gander. As the cocktails had already created a beneficial effect on the passengers, nobody was the least bit disgruntled at the delay. The cocktails and canapes consumed about an hour of the four hours it took to reach Gander, and the dinner about 2 hours more, so by the time our dinner was completed, we had arrived at Gander.