The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

These, of course, are all expensive ma- chimes, as the term Is generally under stood, and while they are remarkable they do not in one way typify the pur- pose of the Aeronautic club so well as many others. The purpose of the society is to encourage and aid the experimental ton by persons who without such as- sistance could never afford to develop and test their ideas. It is as significant therefore, as it is little realized, that the greater part of the construction now under way at this first lair course' in the country is actually being carried on by men of small means. There are gilders and wind wagons, In fact nearly every kind of construction known and unknown and as result It may yet happen, as the Aeronautic society hopes, that from some now obscure source will come the realization of a practical flying ma chine. Naturally the man of small means realizes best the need of an inexpensive machine which will not be merely mill lionaires toy. And while public interest has bean centered in the experiments 9f the wrights, 1t is an extremely significant fact for the future of flying that nearly two dozen ideas are now being tried out at Morris park by quiet men who are all working for a practical solution of the problem of aerial navigation.
 To most persons of course this problem is a sealed one. Somehow it seems hard to realize that the flying machine is coming. But to see the practical work now going on at Morris park is to un- derstand the matter in a different way. In the sheds which equine kings former ly occupied are now various machines, tools and models, and almost daily tests are being made. Although the course which has been leased for a year Is open at all times, Sundays especially are open days when the public is invited to coma and inspect. In the same spirit too any che with any sort of an idea for air navigation or any sort of a vehicle driven by air propeller is welcomed by the so- ciety. Every Wednesday night at the weekly meetings all such persons are in- vited to be present. To them Is given all the aid Of the society In testing out their ideas. Morris park is now really public flying course and the sheos, shops and tools and advice of the society are freely given to all who are interested.
 A catapult, or launching apparatus, has been erected which will give the necessary impetus to gliders and similar machines. The glider. indeed. while it has no en- zine, and is really only a sort of huge kite, is interesting because 1t represents what may be called the first step in fly ing. With the operator sitting or lying below the kite wings 1t is projected from the catapult by releasing a heavy weight and shot into the air with a large initial impulse Once launched it is up to the operator to keep his balance by twisting his body about. As this problem of bal ance is a most difficult one in motor- driven air planes like the Wrights, for in- stance, the glider or kite may be regard ed as the first step in flying. In theory it is similar to the sailing flight of birds which having attained an initial veloc- ity, may glide for miles through the air without moving pinion.
 Of course not even the most enthusias- tic look for the immediate production of a practical and cheap flying machine. But the Aeronautic society and the work which it is carrying on at the old race track are extremely sig1nicant Without doubt 1t marks the beginning of a new stage of air navigation. Never before have men of small means been able to test their ideas, and the existence of the first public air track in the world is in itself a remarkable indication that there Is practical future for air machines With work and experiments going ahead steadily it is also the purpose of the so- ciety to hold special public exhibitions from time to time. Strong in the belief that no point is too small to be care- fully studied. prizes will be offered even kite flying yschool children The now famous tetrahedral kite has taught much, and it is the belief of the mem- bers of the society that it may reach still more. Nothing in connection with any air apparatus, it is held is too small to be considered. The steam engine start ed from a teakettle, the balloon from a paper bag. So while all kinds of air ve- hleles Will be seen at the park, including various famous machines, nothing will be looked upon as insignificant The Aero nautic society believes that flying will be solved in practical way As result of this belief New York now has the first and only public flying grounds and shops in the country, where the mpecunious ex- perimenter can test his ideas and re- ceiye advice and assistance just as well as can the millionaire It may look like so- cialism or philanthropy. In reality it is neither. It is, however, an extremely sig nifcant development in the solution of