The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-24
NO FLYING TODAY.
Too Much Wind at Rheims for Navi-
CATION of the Air

Betheny Aviation Field. Rheims, Aug.
"A black flag swapping from a tall
staff over the aerodrome and signal
that SAIL:
THE wind is over 10 metres a Sec
ond,'' conveyed to the thousands of
persons assembled on the Betheny field
this morning for the third day of avia-
ton that no flights would be possible
until the wind abated.
Owing tc the unfavorable weather
conditions the visit of President Fail
Heres and the members of the cabinet
to the aerodrome was postponed until
later in the week.
Many interesting questions have been
raised by this new sport of racing in
| the air. The fact that there have been
no serious breekdowns or accidents,
even when the machines were flying in
wind of 26 miles an hour and encoun-
tering difficult eddieS of air, is regard
ed as ample proof that the aeroplane
already is a practical machine whose
further development is only question
of time and money. The experts differ
as to the respective merits of biplane
and monoplane and the various types
of machines in each class, but it is I'M
alton depends upon the perfection of
the motor. The Gnome. a revolving,
self cooling motor. developing so horse
power and weighing only $50 pounds
employed by NJ. Bunau-Varilla, has at
tracted much favorable attention.
Blplanes Have the Lead.
The experts agree that the biplanes
thus far have demonstrated marked
superiority, stability and possibilities
of control in a wind as compared to
the monoplane. No monoplanes have
ventured out except in absolutely calm
weather.
The brilliant performance last even
ing of Glenn H. Curtiss. the American
aviator, who covered a lap of s and Is
miles in minutes 8 2-5 seconds, makes
him a favorite for the big event of the
meeting, the international cup, but
there is little actual betting. The rules
that require the contestants in this
event, which will take place Saturday
to start before o'clock in the after
room gives Curtiss much concern, as
the calm of evening seldom sets in be-
fore half past ;.
An unfortunate misunderstanding
arose yesterday after Curtiss had COM
pleted his flight. The committee de-
cided to penalize him one-twentieth of
his time in the Prix de Vitesz for fail
ure to qualify on Sunday. Curtiss and
Cortlandt Field Bishop. the represen-
tative- of the Aero club of America,
protested energetically. They claimed it
had been distinctly agreed that Curtiss
could qualify any day. Furthermore,
they pointed out that the rule cited
penalized also those pilots who quail
fed, but failed to complete three rounds
and that this penalty had not been ap-|
piled to Bleriot and the other French
aviators.
Committee Reconsiders.
The committee thereupon reconsidered
it's decision and after receiving Cur
t5ss' word of honor regarding his I'M
Outstanding the ruling was withdrawn.
Commander Frederick L. Chaplin and
Major T. Bentley Mott. respectively. the
American naval and military attaches,
as well as the other foreign attaches
who have come to Rheims are inter
ested chiefly in the endurance and
weight carrying tests. as these are the
main considerations from the military
standpoint They all seem to regard
the Wright models and the Paulham