New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-27
AER0PLANES TO-DAY


part Of the programme and the 10Th Infantry
which recently returned from the Philippines
will guard the entire island on the days Of the
flights. with the exception Of few members
Of the Hudson Fulton Commission and lin
tied number Of newspaper representatives. there
Will be witnesses at the starting points OF
the aeroplane flights The dead line" has been
drawn along the road in front OF tho officers
quarters. leaving the nlled in land unobstructed
for the aviators.
NO CERTAINTY AS TO TIME OF TESTS.
while Il IS not likely that the tests will take
place before o'clock in tho morning. there Is
no certainty about the time which the men may
select William J. Hammer. secretary of the
aeronautic committee OF the celebration com
mission. said the aviRtors could give no idea OF
the time OF day when the nrst flights might be-
made. Wright may soar over the island before
breakfast and again he may not rise from the
ground until the commuters crossing the
ferries on their way home in the late afternoon
Curtiss has not given any idea OF the time OF
HIS first test. He will be ready at moments
notice 20 sail his machine. and no time will be
wasted II the weather conditions favor trial
As every care must be taken 20 prevent a mis-
hap. which might put the planes out OF com
mission for the big flight. the aviators will not
take any chances with high adverse winds
They will select calm or light southwest
wind.
Although Governors Island is regarded as an
ideal place for aerOpane ascensions. greater
variety OF danger is presented than evators
have ever before been called upon to face. AL
most directly behind the field are the buildings
of the officers and men stationed at the island
while the hagpole standing beside Castle Will
Jams and the ramparts OF Fort Jay are perilous
traps for the flying machines. To the south
there is little danger. but on the east. across
the narrow Buttermuk Channel, are the storage
houses of Red Hook Point Brooklyn. and the
entrance TO Gowanus canal, which is filled with
sailing vessels of every description.
The bay filled with sailing vessels and boats OF
every description will also add an element Of
danger to the trial flights II made in the middle
of the day, while any early morning trips
would find the bay practically deserted off the
lower end of Governors Island. Mr.. Hammer
who selected the filled IN section of the island
and through whose efforts the government gave
permission for the exhibition. has taken all of
these problems into consideration.
HUNDRED YARDS OF LAND FOR START.
Skdding along the ground the men will have
at least a hundred yards in which to get good
start and then they will have the entire unob-
structed Upper Bay. above which the planes can
be navigated with safety.
The air tanks under the CurtiSs machine are
made especially for flight over water. so that
the birdlike structure will float water as
easily as IL can DO wheeled. Light but solid. the
pontoons are constructed Of aluminium and are
attached TO the ribs at the extreme end of the
lower plano. When floating the operator can
easily make any repairs which the craft may
need Then, when the propeller is set in mo-
ton the pontoons skids. giving the avi-
ator chance TO rise again. The Wright ma
chine Is also provided with devices with which
TO offset any mishap which may cause II to fal!
into the water.
Officers OF the foreign warships especially
interested in the preliminary demonstration,
which will prove the skill with hich both
operators can handl- their machines In the
long flights the men will have become familiar
with their planes, while the short spurts around
Governors Island or the Statue OF Liberty Will
call for the most intricate handling OF big
wings.
Another exhibition which will interest the yis-
iting sailors will be the experiments In rising
from the water to show the efficiency of an
aeroplane for the navy. IL is probable that
/ Curtiss will attempt such flight before the
end OF the week Should he succeed I'm ing
the flight 10 the aerial buoy, which will be
anchored off West 1920 street. the aviator will
give another interesting lesson in aerial war
fare by appearing directly above the warships
in position 30 drop any number Of combs on
the decks Of the floating forts
To give th. aviators every opportunity 20