New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-20
CURTISS SHOWS SKILL
AIR COLLISION AVERTED.
Three Machines Fly at Rheims-A
MYSTERIOUS AerOpldne.

{ Rheims Aue 19-Glenn II. Curtss the
American aeronaut. added dramatic feature TO
the trial flights of the aeroplanes entered for the
contests OF aviation week by skilfully guiding
his machine above another aeroplane and avert
ing collision in the air that seemed imminent
J The feat was accomplished when three heavier
: than air craft were manpuvring at the same
time All We're flying rapidly. when suddenly
Curtiss saw NJ Dumanest, I'm an Antoinette
monoplane. approaching at right angles on the
same level with him. Curtiss elevated his
planes, his machine soaring safely over the
Frenchman. The thousands of spectators who
lined the aerodrome applauded the American
wildly. The third machine In the air at this
time that of NJ. Tassandier Experts agreed
that Mr. Curtiss had made fine demonstration
OF his skill and ability to control his machine.
The wind. which kept the machines in their
sheds for two days died out at shutdown. and
the aviators rushed to the sheds. Mounted
gendarmes and dragons soon cleared the aero
drome of the spectators that the trials could
I be held. Count de Lambert. a Wright model.
was the first 10 start and made circuit OF the
aerodrome. NJ. Tissandier, also Wright
biplane, followed him.
Then the Curtiss machine looking smaller and
more compact than the others. placed I'm
position for flight. Curtiss still linnping.
but mounted the seat of his biplane.
land right here" answered Curtiss. as he started
his motor. After short over the ground
the aeroplane assembled and made wide turn
and then described back and forth over the aero
drome. NJ. Dumanest had started across the
field I'm one OF the Antoinette machines. Sudden
! " it seemed 10 the crowd below that collision
between him and Curtlss inevitable. but the
American swerved his aeroplane upward and
steered It safely over that Of Dumanest
Curtiss landed without accident at his starting
place. after having been in the air four minutes.
+ His altitude was loo feet, 10 feet higher than
any Of the others. Count de Lambert and NJ.
Tissander each made flights of twelve minutes
during the evening. and Hubert Latham took
few short spins about the course and was
cheered by the spectators. NJ Bleriot came out
on the field with his monoplane. but darkness
prevented his making flight.
After his flight. Mr.. Curtiss said:
I am entirely satisfied with my aeropIane.
which the recent accident has not hurt used
an eight-cylinder motor to-day The only
trouble experienced was with the propelers
which revolved so fast that the draft from them
strained the rudder This however, can be
remedied by strengthening the rudder"
Mr.. Curtss Joined the other experts tonight
in a statement that aviation is fine weather
sport. and that spectators must not expect
flights TO be made I'm all sorts OF weather. Per-
sonally, Mr.. Curtiss said. he did not intend 10
take any risks. He has decided not 10 enter
the passenger carrying test, he has hope
, OF defeating Bleriot in it. He intends instead.
10 devote himself to the speed contests.
Count de Lambert and N. Tissandier received
many congratulations on their flights
The road from Rheims 10 the Plains OF Beth
any is becoming a notable highway. There was
a long procession OF wagons laden with provi-
Z WIFI
Of spectators bound for the practice flights OF the
aviators used all sorts Of vehicles. from hay
rcks 10 automobiles. Booths 81 various kinds
and restaurants are sprnging up along the
road. and the trees and fences are covered with
advertisements OF various types OF aeroplanes.
II is said that OF the surprises Of aviation
week will he the appearance Of mysterious
aeropsne. built along the lines Of the Wright
machines. which has been used successfully in
a number Of secret flights held recently near
Paris The pilot Of this machine abandoned a
project 10 fy from Paris down 20 Rheims be-
cause Of the possibility Of damaging his flyer.
This aeroplane rises without running over tho
ground or making OF outside force by vary
ing the angle Of the planes and this strength Of
IT'S propeers.
All the hotels are crowded and a special lodg-
ing agency has been organized by the commit
tee Demands for accommodation are coming
in from far and wide. a good many Of the
visitors are arriving I'm automobiles and the
streets are filled with rapidly moving
The aerodrome which recently
panse of ploughed fields. has been given over to
landscape gardeners. Twelve hundred pine
trees have been transplanted To the field, and
the tribunes 70 he hordered by beds OF
flowers An army ~ peasants has been en-
listed 70 level and clear the ground.