Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-07
AERO CLUB HAS
ACTIVE PLANS
SECURES NEW HEADQUARTERS
FOR WORK
Campaign Laid Out for 1909 and Busi-
ness End Is Handled as Thor
oughly as Experimental
Side

The Aero Club of California is begin
ming an active campaign to widen the
work of the organization in Los Angeles
county Permanent headquarters have
been secured, and the work for 1909 has
been Systematically mapped out.
Meetings will be held hereafter in the
reception hall Of Ponet Square at Grand
avenue and Pico street, and the trials
and demonstrations will be held at
Fiesta park, adjoining the Ponet build
ing. The park has large barn which
has been converted into an aerodrome
shed, and the Zerbe aeroplane is stored
there. The shed has taken on already
the appearance of an aeronef factory.
as members of the club are starting
work on engines and machines. The
Smith and other gliderS are also on eX-
hibition in the barn.
An innovation among aero clubs in
stituted by the Aero club of California
is placing the business end of the or
ganizatiOn on a definite basis. with as
much systematic attention paid to that
side as to inventions and contests. w
H. Leonard has been made business
manager Of the club and several depu-
ties have been appointed to secure new
members.
Membership applications average
twenty-five each meeting, and the in
itial fee has been suspended until 200
new members are secured. A circular
stating the objects of the club has
been issued. 1t calls attention to the
advantages of Los Angeles and CalifCr-
MIA climate for research in aeronau-
tics. The following argument is made
in the circular:
THE Aero club of California was or
ganized in June, 1908. Arrangements
have been made to affiliate with the
Aero club of America. It's first meet
ings were held in the Times building
then it began its activities at Chutes
park; later it took up quarters at
Bimini baths, and recently it has made
arrangements to establish permanently
at Fiesta park, where housing and
workshop facilities are to be provided
and the use of a large ground area
loaned for experiments.
Objects of Club
THE Aero club of California was
formed at an opportune time when the
world was watching with interest the
experiments of the Wright brothers and
their final success. 1t is the purpose of
the club to arouse interest in the
science Of aeronautics, to conduct re-
searches and assist students, to help
those who are inventing and building
machines, and to proclaim California as
y
Quoting experiments in aerial naviga-
ton. The club members believe that
Southern California especially is
adapted to experimental work and that
if flight is ever made practicable this
section Of the country will be a Mecca
for those who hope to derive pleasure
from aerial travel
I'm a quiet way the club has accom-
plished much. Heretofore the member
ship has been made up largely of per-
sons who are at work on Inventions 1t
is desired to include those persons who
desire to study aerOnautics for culture
or pastime, yet who are unable to con-
duct experiments and take active part
in construction work. Some dozen or
more members are working on plans
and models, while two have constructed
machines. The club invites all respect
able and earnest persons to interest
themselves in what is being done,
whether merely for their own pleasure
or for practical purposes.
The officers and members of the
Aero club have decided thoroughly to
organize persons in Southern California
interested in aerOnautiCS into clubs
auxiliary to the one former in Los An
geles and to conduct a campaign of
education and evolution of the science.
1t is proposed TO make the club one of
the best in the world. We want your
help In return we wish to interest, en-
tertaIn and instruct you. and if you arg