Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-01
MAY MAKE THIS
"AERIAL" CENTER
CONQUEST OF SKY WILL BE
UNDERTAKEN
Believed Wealthy 5aIloonists and
,Aeroplane Owners from the
East May Come to
Los Angeles

The Aero Club of California will
initiate tonight an active campaign
for the next twelve months in pro-
noting aeronautic interest on the Pa
cifc coast, and particularly in regard
to the winter advantages of southern
California in this regard. Members OF
the club believe that it is possible to
bring to this section the balloons of
rich aerial enthusiasts for winter con-
tests and experiments, which are out
OF the question in the east, thereby
eventually making Los Angeles proml-
nent as an aeronautic center.
The club will endeaVor to stimulate
local interest in this regard in a num-
Ter of ways, and is planning to enlist
200 new members in Los Angeles. The
membership fee has been temporarily
decreased from So to so cents, with
monthly dues of so cents. 1t is planned
to admit persons who desire the adj
vancement of aeronautics whether
they take part in ascensions or not.
Among other means members of the
club will make practical experiments
with elders, which are large kite
shaped frames with canvas surfaces,
scientifically built to allow gliding
through the air. The operator runs
off a bank or steep hill or is towed by
an automobile or other locomotion, and
often succeeds in going through the air
at q 1lOQeTdle uGlS1ll IOI a ulSldIlCC
sufficient to enjoy the sensation of fly
ing. Experts consider this excellent
preliminary training for the manipula-
ton of aeroplaneS, as the resistance to
the wings of the glider is on the same
lines as with the planes of heavier
than-air machines.
To Build elders
Members of the club already own
three completed gliders, and enough
more will probably be built to allow
public exhibitions this winter. Those
who participated in the contest held at
Long Beach say they were not all
lowed a fair opportunity to show what
can be done, and they are anxious to
make trials under more desirable con-
ditions.
The Aero club will also consider plans
tonight for the early completion of it's
aerodrome park, which comprises
twenty acres at the corner of Third and
Vermont streets. The club proposes
to fence this and equip 1t properly
for airship and other demonstrations
and experimental work. Balloon as
tensions which may be made this win
ter and the dirigible flights to be con-
Quoted by Roy KnabenShue will prob
ably continue from Chutes park, as the
gas equipment, which is expensive, is
already in place there.
The question OF anOIner Ifldl DelHeeh
the Omitted States" and the "Ameri-
can" is mainly awaiting the return of
Captain Mueller from Arizona with the
former balloon. He is now at Vicks-
burg, and is not expected in Los An
geles until Friday. Dick Ferris has
received assurances of financial sup
port of the race, but says he will
not agree to any ascension that is not
entirely free out of the commercial
side and free enough from admission
fees to permit a start under conditions
which should make possible flight at
least over the mountains.
Roy Knabenshue has had many re-
quests from would-be passengers, and
decided yesterday to make a trip with
enc or two on board.
"I want to take Mr.. and Mrs. Dick
Ferris" he said, land I have given
them an invitation. Afterwards I may
take up one or two ladies'; including
Mrs. Bob Montgomery who says she
thinks travel by airship will beat either
automobile or broncho. L cannot say
when l shall make another flight, as
1 am engaged right now in getting
nv place of business ready to OPEN"
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