The radio operator connected him to Air Traffic Control.
They told him to keep flying on automatic pilot towards Brisbane, and to wait for further instruction from an experienced pilot.
An hour later, the lights of Brisbane appeared on the horizon.
He could see the lights of the runway shining brightly beyond the city.
Air Traffic Control told him to keep circling until the fuel gauge registered almost empty.
This gave him a chance to get used to handling the controls.
In the cabin, the hostesses and the doctor were busy attending to the sick.
Several people were unconscious.
The plane circled for over half an hour.
The passengers had begun to realize that something was wrong.
What's going on, why don't we land? shouted a middle-aged man.
My wife's ill, we've got to get her to hospital.
A woman began sobbing quietly.
At last the plane started its descent.
Suddenly there was a bump which shock the plane.
We're all going to die, screamed a man.
Even the hostesses looked worried as panic began to spread through the plane.
It's all right, someone said. The pilot's just lowered the wheels, that's all.
As the plane approached the runway, they could see fire trucks and ambulances speeding along beside the runway with their lights flashing.
There was a tremendous thump as the wheels hit the tarmac, bounced twice, raced along the runway and screeched to a halt.
The first airport truck was there in seconds.
That was nearly a perfect landing, well done.
Shouted the control tower.
Thanks, said the man, any chance of job?