Omaha daily bee., 1909-08-20
Frenchmsn Approaches Him at Right
Angles.
UPWARD
PLANES
TURNED
Machine Rises Instantly and Collision
is Averted.
WRIGHT BROTHERS FILE SUIT
AeronautIe Society of New York and
All Persons Using CurtIss Aero
planes Are Charged with
Infringement.

RHEIMS, Aug. 19-The American avia-
tor, Glenn H. Curtiss. at sundown today
added a dramatic feature to the trial
flights of the aeroplanes entered for the
contests Of aviation week by skillfully
guiding his machine above another aero
plane thus averting a collision.
The feat was accomplished when, for
the first time in history three heavier than
air crafts were maneuvering at the same
time. All were flying rapidly when sud
denly Curtss saw M. Dumanset in an An
totnette monoplane approaching at right
angles and on the same level with him.
Curtiss, realizing the danger elevated his
planes. His machine instantly shot up
ward and scared safely over the French
man. The thousands OF spectators who
lined the aerodrome watched the meneu-
yer with abated breath, but when they
saw it successfully and brilliantly car
ried out they applauded the American
wildly. The third machine in the air at
this time was that of NJ. Tissandfer.
Fine Demonstration of Skill.
Experts tonight were agreed that Mr..
Curtiss had made a fine demonstration of
his skill and ability to control his machine
They declare that his bi-plane is a real
racer
The wind, which had been blowing for
two days, suddenly died out at sundown
and the svlators rushed to the sheds and
dragged out their machines. Thousands
Of eager spectators crowed about them,
but mounted gendarmes and dragons soon
cleared the aerodrome so that the trials
could proceed. Count De Lambert in a
Wright model was the first to start and
made a complete circuit OF the aerodrome.
NJ a1C
followed him.
Then the CurtIss machine, looking
smaller and more compact than the others
was placed in position for flight. Cur
tiss still was limping and used In walking
gnarled stick which was presented to
him by the village cure, but, like M
Beriot. who before crossing the English
channel in his monoplane threw aside his
crutch, Curtis mounted the seat Of his bi.
! plane unencumbered.
American Thinks Quickly.
Where will you land2" was asked the
Hammondsport, N. Y expert
Il will land right here" answered Cur
tiss, and smiling, he started his motor
After short run over the ground the aero
plane ascended and made a wide turn anC
then described evolutions back and forth
over the aerodrome Meantime NJ. Duman
set had started across the field in one Of
! the Antoinette machines. Suddenly 4
seemed to the crowd below that a collision
between him and Curtiss was inevitable
but the American proved a quick thinker
and gracefully swerved his aeroplane up
ward and steered it safely over that o.
! Dumanset.
Curtiss, true to his word, landed withou
accident at his place of starting after hav
| ing been in the air four minutes The alti
tude reached by him was $50 feet fifty
feet higher than any of the others. Coun
De Lambert and NJ. Tissandier each mad,
flights of twelve minutes during the even
ing, and Hubert Latham took a few shor
spins about the course and was given al
ovation by the spectators. M Bleriot cam,
out on the field with his monoplane, bu
darkness prevented his making a flight.
Curtiss Pleased with Machine.
After his skillful flight Mr.. Curtiss said
Il am entirely satisfied with my aero
plane, which the recent accident has no
/ in anywise hurt. l used an eight-cylinde
motor today. The only trouble l expert
enced was with the propellers, which re
volved so fast that the draft from then