Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-01-11
COEY TO TAKE
LONG AIR TRIP
FINDS STARTING CONDITIONS
FAVORABLE
AGREES WITH DICK FERRIS AS
TO Possibilities
President of Chicago's Aeronautique
Club Convinced Balloon Can Be
PiIoted a Considerable Dis
tance Eastward

Charles A. Coey said yesterday that
he will make the attempt to cross the
continent in his balloon; the Chicago
He has been carefully studying the
local situation here from the stand
point of a balloonist, and is firmly con-
WINGED that the project is feasible,
agreeing with Dick Ferris that there
are chances to make the longest land
trip in the world from Los Angeles.
Dick Ferris predicted before the first
ascent of his American at Los An
geles that expert balloonists would be
attracted here by the great possibili-
ties in the journey, and Mr.. Coey is the
first to confirm his opinion. Since he
has taken opportunity to look the
starting point over Mr.. Coey is more
firmly convinced that some one will
soon accomplish the journey by balloon.
The possibilities Of sweeping over
mountain and desert and perhaps
achieving the longest aerial trip ever
made appeal strongly to him. and he
hopes to be the first to accomplish it.
I'VE shall certainly make the at
tempt" said Mr.. Coey last night. cit
is entirely feasible, and 1 should like
to be one of the first to take the trip.
With favorable starting conditions 1
believe it possible to get over the
mountains without undue loss of gas,
and the Chicago can stand considerable
loss and still carry its load.
There are three ways in which the
trip may be made. One is under con-
ditions which will permit shoot over
the mountains and a Straightaway
journey without a stop. A second is
by coming down at night and anchor
ing until the next morning, when the
suns warmth will bring an expansion
of the gas with a much greater lift
than the night before. AS a third eX-
pedient it may be possible to go as far
as the first imitation will carry, then
Tefilling and going on. The nonstop
journey appeals most to the balloonist,
and it may be taken from Los Angeles
to New York some time.
ST have held the theory that a larger
balloon will travel much faster and
farther than a smaller one. Trials I
have made with the Chicago seem to
confirm this opinion, especially in the
first trip I made with it from Quincy,
Ill, last June, and the journey across
the lakes in the Chicago Fourth of
July race. Captain Bumbaugh, who
built the Chicago for me, was of the
opinion that a large balloon would
travel no faster than a small one, and
QUIET d6TOnduIS nave expressed the
same view, but 1 believe that further
experiments will strengthen my the
DRY. In a distance trip, such as this
trial across the continent, 1 believe it
will be proved that a large balloon like
the Chicago will accomplish more than
one of smaller capacity.
"Our trip will not be a commercial
one. l have no idea of making any
money out of it; in fact, it will cost a
great deal more than could in any way
be made out Of it. We are not here to
attempt the trip except from the pleas
ure side of it. We have not set any date
as we wish to enjoy the winter in Los
Angeles as thoroughly as possible
Captain G. L. Bumbaugh, who will
go with Mr.. and Mrs. Coey, will come
to Los Angeles about January 20, and
final arrangements for the trip will
be considered following his arrival.
Dick Ferris has not yet completed
his plans for another try at the trans
continental record by one of his bal
looms, as his illness has interfered with
his business. Captain Mueller has been
busy, however, repairing the big hydro
gen plant at the ball park, and has it
in shape for use. Part of the fixtures
had been carried away by petty thieves