Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-27
MANY AIRSHIPS
BEING BUILT
FRANCE ALONE HAS $50 NOW
UNDER WAY
FLYING LESSONS CAN BE HAD
FOR SUM OF 5000
Specially Designed Machine Now
Being Built with Which to
Cross the English
Channel

1t is generally realized, even in
France, to what an extent the aero
plane movement has already grown
On a moderate estimate there are I'M
der construction in Paris and its imme-
date neighborhood not less than $50
aeroplanes. The public hears little OF
them, for in most cases they are ex-
perimental machines, that the designer
prefers to try out in peace before
bringing before the attention of the
world There are fifty orders In. hand
for the Wright aeroplane, which will be
in the hands of well known sportsmen
next season; in addition to this such
shops as those of Voisin Antoinette.
Astra ETC., are busy on machines for
French sportsmen. Many men, as for
instance, Louis BleriOt and MELVIN
Vaniman, the engineer of the Wellman
balloon expedition, build quietly in
their own shops, and it is not until the
machine is brought out for flights that
the public wakes up to the fact that
something has been doing.
1t is not surprising that there is so
much activity when there is in Europe
alone a sum of about $780, 600 awaiting
to be won for aerOplane performances.
Experienced men, however, are lacking,
for most of those building or buying
machines are new to the game, and
when they get their apparatus are I'M
able to fly with it. To overcome this
one of the largest firms of aerOplaue
constructors is about to open a practi-
cal aeroplane school, in which they will
be more concerned about teaching the
practical handling of an aerOplane than
the theories regarding its operation
Leon Delagrange, too, has turned
teacher. and is prepared to show any
one how to fly on an aeroplane for the
sum of 5000 At the Auvours camp
Wright is now completing the educa-
ton of his three pupils, one of whom
has already flown alone. and these
three men, as soon as competent, will
be used TO teach the art to others.
To Build Wright Aeropanes
1t is declared that next year the
Chantiers Nevales de France will un-
dertake the building of Wright aero
planes in large series for the French
committee. Already an order has been
given a French firm for a large series
of motors on similar models to the one
used by Wilbur Wright. The first order
given was for an exact duplicate of the
Wright engine. The constructors OBJ
iected that the motor was defective in
several respects and asked to be al
lowed to make detail notifications.
Wilbur Wright refused to listen 10
them, and the exact duplicate order
was maintained. While working ac-
cording to Instructions, however, the
firm built an improved engine, on the
same general lines. but remedying the
many mistakes in the one used in
America and Europe. On test being
made the improved motor was found TO
give so much more power that Wright
was Immediately convinced that he was
mistaken, and accepted the changes. 1t
is declared that the engine used for the
most successful flights in France barely
develops 25-horse power, which is re-
markable tribute to the efficiency Of
the aeroplane. for there are scores of
machines with four times this power
which fail to leave the ground.
one of the first machines specially
built to cross the channel from France
to England is now nearing completion