New-York tribune., 1908-08-12
WRIGHT'S BEST FLIGHT
LONGEST OF THE SERIES.
AerOpldne Remains IN dir Three
Minutes Forty-four Seconds.

| LIE Mans. France, Aug. 11.-This evening VIII
| bur Wright, of Dayton Ohio, made the longest
and most successful flight of the series of aero
| plane trials which he is conducting here. He
remained in the air three minutes and forty
! four seconds. The machine crcled the Held
three times at the of thirty-six miles an
hour. On passing the grandstand Mr. Wright
gracefully descended until within speaking dls-
tance of the spectators, who wildly applauded
his exhibition of mastery over the aeroplane.
! after which he scared like bird TO new
heights and continued his flight until reaching
the starting point, where he finally gently
landed
AS evidence of the interest that is being
taken in Wright's experiments a crowd of three
thousand persons, including many women, pa
tiently waited throughout the day until he was
ready to take his machine out Nearby inns
and cafes reaped harvest serving the wants
Of the throngs. which spent the day lounging on
the grass or promenading In front of the shed
where Wright eats sleeps and lives with his
creation. There was a buzz of contented ex-
clamations and a scurryng to find points OF
vantage to witness the ascension when finally
the doors of the shed were thrown open and
the machine was taken out and placed In posi-
ton. Scores of the younger persons climbed
into surrounding tree tops. the better to get
view of the exhibition.
Off went the aeroplane like a fleet gull. 1t
scared down the and then abruptly, al
-;lessly, swooped and turned and came
majestcally down the field following the lines
of trees. after which 1t returned to the front Of
the grandstand. With admirable and pre-
csion the aeroplane here descended to lower
level. seemingly to drop the spectators polite
aerial courtesy. Then it rose again and re-
sumed it's trip describing zigzags here and
oirc IFS IF he
course. Finally it to the ground at the
starting point where the inventor again was
received with the plaudits Of the delighted
spectators There was scarcely a vestige OF
breeze during the flight
After the demonstration Mr.. Wright said to
The Associated Press:
MY idea is to make longer and possibly
higher flights daily. I feeling out my ma
chine
Among the spectators to-day was ]. c. Mccoy.
the American aeronaut, who enthusiastic
over the performance.
The French press and the aeronautic experts.
besides extolling the Wright brothers aero
plane, devote much space to picturing the per
sonality of Wilbur Wright.
This man." says Franz Reichel, in the Fl
caro-" lis strange and cold, but of a coldness
that is smiling and sympathetic. He is tall,
thin severe-a man that is tempered like steal.
The countenance is remarkable, curfous-the
head that of bird. long and bony and with
long nose. Tie face is smooth shaven and
tanned by the wind and the country sum- This
eye is a superb blue gray, with tints of gold;
honorable, gentle. resolute and intelligent.
Those golden glints bespeak an ardent flame.
for Wilbur Wright is a fanatic"
MIR. Wrght's method OF getting away
start while not appealing to the experts the
most practical solution of the problem of
launching his machine, pleases the French emo
tional sense.
land there is nothing to stop him. He either
flies or falls. The danger Of this moment
gives one a Quiver of anguish like that expert
enced at the sight of a cyclist jumping an
abyss or looping the loop"