The San Francisco call., 1907-02-03

r. oUNDED IN the summer OF 1908
H. by virtually the same men who
had organized the Automobile
Club OF America, the history Of
the Aero Club of America IS neces-
sarily a very brief one. The objects
for which IT was formed are set forth
fn detail IN its constitution. but they
may be summarized in the brief state
ment that the club exists for the pro-
motion and development OF the sci
ence OF aerial navigation. Founded
by men who had almost without ,ex-
ception never made an ascension in
a free balloon. the club has in one
year Of existence earned for itself
position IN the world OF sport and II
is 10 be hoped 1t mas opened up
brilliant career for itself in the future.
Although the Aero Club is the first
organization of aeronauts TO be formed
on the American continent. 1t has
had a number OF precursors in Eu-
rope. where the science OF aerial navi-
cation has for many years received
careful study. II IS not my purpose
to enter into a history Of balloons In
this connection. Suffice TO say that
. the revival OF this sport which took
place in Europe in the later years OF
the nineteenth century did not reach
this country TIL 1906 Many OF our
countrymen who had seen balloons
daily passing ever Paris, or who had
witnessed the aerial contest at YIN
cennes tn 1900, did not realize that a
balloon voyage was not an uncom-
mon thing IN the United States
generation ago. Parachute jumping
s perilous adventure and one requir-
ing skill and courage. had become 4
popular catchpenny attraction at
country fairs, but the sport Of hall
2: looming as practiced by our forefath-
ers had become quite lost sight OF
So when the Aero Club ot America
lorxa nized sts first exposition, IN Janu-
erv.. 1905, balloons were imported from
Paris, and the public was given the
opportunity OF seeing what they were
like. Photographs Of balloon ascen-
siens were displayed and an EFFORT was
made to arouse q popular interest IN
The sport aa Il is practiced abroad.
This show was followed by num-
Der Of actual ascents from different
places in the Eastern states, ana thus
people IN one section Of this country
al least were given an opportunity TO
become familiar with aerial naviga-
tion in its. simplest and safest form.
New York Is Poor Center
The home OF the Aero Club. the city
of New York. Is unfavorably situated
as bsilooning center The ocean, the
one peril Of the seronsuts. is close al
hand. and only with wind from
southerly direction is an ascent TO bs
made with perfect safety. The gas
ouestion IS also an important factor
and the Aero Club has found at Pitts
field Mass. g station combining the
features necessary for successful
ascent-distance from the sea and ar
abunoant supply OF coal gas. Ths
great drawback is its distance from
New York and other centers OF popula'
tion.
The Aero Club has acquired two bal
Icons one of them. the Centaur. having
made the record balloon journey from
Paris 70 Russia IN 1900. These aero
stats are available for ascensions b,
members and II 10 hoped that befor'
long the club viii be able to accuir,
new balloons. Both the French ant
British clubs have special balloons o.
their own, and during the -seascs
ascents are made at reduced rates 70
the benefit OF members who cannot af
ford their own aerostats. So great Il
the number OF those who desire TO par
ticipate In. These excursions that lot
sre drawn BY applieants for the priyi
lege.
such ss net the case IN the Unite'
States, where a. takes good deal o
persuasion before the average persoi
VIII go I'D in q balloon. Americans er
not supposed TO be lacking In courage
but they look forward TO d balloo'
ascent with fear and trembling. Their
really should be nothing to inspire fea
tn an ascent with q competent PILOT
Accidents have been rare. and the rec
ords Of European ascensions in thes
last years are almost free from then
1T IS a noteworthy fact that wome
show much less fear than do men.
Another drawback TO baliooninE
this country is the difficulty OF com
munication IN the inland districts an
the absence OF good roads. which pre-
vent pursuit by automobiies Thi
makes the return TO the starting poih
mere dificult and less pleasant "a
ladies' and often involves the spend
tng OF the night IN dieeorfcxt ate