Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-10
Orville Wright Stayed in the Air
over an Hour in Trial at
Washington.
AERIAL FLIGHT ASSURED
The New Airship VIII lie n Vninnbl.
Means of Reconnaissance in Time
of War-Two Men in the VIA
chine during the Third
Flight Test.

WASHINGTON, September o-OrvIlls
Wright, IN three phenomenal flights
at Fort Myer to-day, established now
aeroplane records that not only as
sure the success OF the official trisls
before tho army board. but indicate
that aerial flight IS now only a mat
ter OF development. War on land and
sea will find In the aeroplane. IT is
now conceded by military men. n val
liable means of reconnaissance and
POSSIBLY carnage
Two nights Of approximately one
hoNr each, another flight in which two
men were whiried through the air for
upward of six minutes were the
achievements OF ,he Wrignt brothers
aeronlan to-day. That these fights
record breaking as they were. Will
even be surpassed by Orville Wright
during bis trials at Fort Myer, is
confidently predicted. The first fight
made this morning, in wnlch tho ma
chine circled tho drill grounds nt the
fort 81 times In 81 nl'nutes end 31
seconds, was surpassed this evenln.
when flight Of g. minutes and IA
seconds was made
Not satisfied with breaking n'l ,1istance
ana time records for a heavier-than-a'r
flying machine Mr. Wright took Ideut
! Frank +. Iahm, the acronaut of the sig
nal corps. for spin around the driu
grounds, and making a new record for q
two-man flight. All this happened SO
quickly and ostentat!ouslv. thnt the spec-
tators. among whom were members o,
the cabinet and high officers Of the army
and navy could hardly realize that his
tory had been made and that new era
In the progress OF the civilized world wan
| begun.
| The morning Hight was witnessed nv
only handful OF enthusiasts. but the
news spread so rapidly that fully a thou-
| sand people gathered on the military res.
ervation across the Potomac from the
national capital to see the afternoon
event
MACHINE UNDER PERFECT CON
! TROr.
At $40 the machine rose into suace
and sailed over the drill grounds High
er and higher It rose. turned at n sligr,
angle as the aviator brought il around
at the rar side Of -he field and raced
along az Increasing speed There was
| hardly culver Of the aeroplane In the
first few rounds OF the field Mr. Wrigh.
evidently having the Ateering apparatus
we'll IN hand.
Round after round the ma achine travel
ed on, cutting short turns shooting
along the stretches and presenting
somewhat the appearance OF an auto.
mobile racing sbout an imaginary course
in the air
Before the fisht was begun a watch
was tied to the seat next 20 Mr. Wright
and when IA little later ne saw that
he had stayed alort tor over an hour.
the time required IN order for him 10
fulfill his contract with the govern
ment ne made for mother earth"
GREETED WITH CHEERS.
Swooping down In sort OF bump
the bump" fashion. the machine bore
down in the direction Of the crowd,
which quickly scattered. Raising
cloud OF dust as II slid along on the
sk!ds, the aeroplane which weighs
nearly thousand pounds. came to 4
stop within twenty ieet of the crowd.
Az Mr.. Wright stepped from the seat
and removed his goggles. he was
greeted with lusty cheers.
Secretary Metcalf OF the navy SEQ
lcltIy bI W hT W IlEul ana mum erou9
army and navy officers together with
enthusiasts from every walk of lifa,
gathered about the wizard Of tho air
to grasp his hand. AS three cheers
were given. wright" calmly gave or
ders for replacing the machine on the
starting track 10 prepare for another
flight.
Turning to Lieut.. Lahm. one OF the
leading aeronauts OF tho army M.
Wright said; "How would you like To go
up with me'' II was an invitation that
needed on repetition.
With the two men. Mr., Wright and
Lieut. Iahm In their places. the start
was made at sac, the machine apparent
" rising from the ground rs easily with
its Increased burden II had with only
the inventor aboard. After the sixth lap.
a beautiful landing was made.