The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-10
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
 OFFER CONGRATU TULAT|ONS
Wright Makes Second Successful Trip With an Army Officer In the Machine With Him and
 Lands Safely.

Wright, In three phenomenal flights a Fort Myer. established new aeroplan records that not only assure the success of the official trials before the arm board but indicate that aerial flight i now only matter of development.
 Two flights, of approximately an hoal each; another flight in which two mer were whirled through the air for upwsrd of six minutes, were the achievements of the Wright brothers aeroplane today. The first flight, made this mo.png, in which the machine circled the drill grounds at the fort 57 times ia T minutes and 90 seconds, was surpassed this even- ing, when a flight of 62 riHutes and 10 seconds was made
 Not satisfied with breaking all distance and time records for a heavier-than-a air flying machine, Mr. Wright took Lieut.. Frank P. Lahm, ths aeronaut of the Sig nal Corps, for spin around the drill grounds and m9king new record for a two-man flight Among the spectators were membens of the cabinet and high officers of the army and navy.
 The moraing flight was witnessed by only d handful of enthusiasts, but fully | ousand people gathered to see the afternoon event.
 Second Flight.
 At 5:16 .this afternoon, as the sun was disappearing below the Virginia horizon, the aeroplane rose grandly into space and sailed over the greensward of the drill grounds. Higher and higher 1t rose, turned at a slight angle as the aviator brought it around at the far side of the field, and along at increasing speed. There was hardly a'quiver of the aero plane in the first few rounds of the field. Round after round the machine travelled on, cutting short turns and shooting along the stretches. The aviator paid little heed to the crowd below, until, having broken the record of 57 minutes and S1 seconds established by him this morning, the crowd raised cheer that told him of his new achievement. Then MT. Wright waved his acknowledgements. Before the flight watch was tied to the seat next to MT. Wright, and when he saw that he had stayed aloft for over an hour, the time required in order to full fill his contract with the government he made for Mother Earth
 Sweeping down in a sort of bump the bumps fashion, the machine bore down in the direction of the crowd, which quickly scattered.
 Raising cloud of dust as it slid along on the skids, the aeroplane, which weighs nearly thousand pounds, came to stop within 20 feet of the crowd.
 As MT. Wright stepped from the seat and removed his goggles he was greeted with lusty cheers.
 ConuratuIations Given.
 Lieutenant Selfridge, who operated the first successful aeroplane of the Aerial Experiment association at Hammonds- port, N. Y., was the first to congratulate MT. Wright. Secretary Metcalf of the navy, Secretary of War Wright and num- erous army and navy officers, together , with enthusiasts from every walk of life, gathered about him to grasp his hand. As three cheers were given Wright calm ly gave orders for replacing the machine on the starting track to prepare for an- other flight.
 Turning to Lieutenant Lahm, one of the leading aeronauts of the army, MT. Wright said:
 How would you like to go up with me?" It was an invitation that needed no repetition. With the two men, MT. Wright and Lieutenant Lahm, in their places, the start was made at 6:42, the machine
 
 easily with its increased burden asSit had with only the inventor aboard As 1t sped along the road bordering Arlington ceme- tery, 1t came in direct line between the onlookers and the full September moon, serving to recall the famous work of Jules Verne, "A Trip to the Moon."
 As the machine completed the first round the motor skipped on one cyl- inder but on the succeeding five trips there was no evidence that the engine was overtaxed by the great strain im- posed upon it. After the sixth lap, q beautiful landing was made within 100 feet of the aerial garage, where the ma chine is sheltered from the elements.
 Mr. Wright, as usual, displayed no emo- tion. but Lieutenant Lahm was most en- thusiastic.
 Wright in the first flight was 150 feet. As the machine was brought to the ground, August Post, of the New York Aero Club of Americas and Charles Taylor, MT. Wright's mechanic, pressed ahead to con gratulste MT. Wright. They shook both hands.
 "Fifty-seven, thirty-one," said Taylor. "As much as that?" said MT. Wright "Why, if I had known we were that close to the hour I would have stayed the full time."
 "Time goes rather fast while you arc
 
 in the air." he remarked with quiet smile, and wiped his forehead of per- spration.
 '.I really had no idea that I had been up SO long, I am glad we have the record for time in this country.'
 The start was made at S:25 o'clock. There was a brilliant sun and what little air was blowing came directly out of the north. The spectators consisted prin- cipally of newspaper men, photographers and enlisted men from the post.
 Round and Round.
 On the first round of the wheel the height was not above 30 feet and the oper- ator kept the machine well within the bounds of the surrounding buildings and tents Then as the motor continued to run smoothly, the aviator seemed to gather confidence and the big plane commenced to climb. Soon 1t was above the roof of the artillery sheds and a little later