Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

desired. brand-neW word is what Is
wanted-a word that will suggest the new
sport which is with us. word that Will
convey some idea of the strangeness OF
the great fiat expanses which are needed
as the playing ground Of mans new aerial
steeds.
II there is confusion in naming the land
over which the aerOplanes ny, there is
confusion worse COMPOUNDED in attempts
to describe the men who control the
aerial machines. The term pilot Is
chung to with desperation-probably 1t Is
considered the best of a bad assortment
Of words. 1t is not altogether inappro-
pirate. The man in the machine does
pilo. it. But the word is not suggestive
enough. Indeed, it suggests nothing OF
it's special application unless you prefix
II with the word aerial" Pilot ex-
presses the slow. sure method of the
bearded man who brings a big steamer
up the Thames. 1t does not suggest the
keen-eyed man, rapid as quicksilver in
his movements, who sits at the levers of
a rushing. swerving aeroplane.
The Bird Man.
Taking another leaf from the notebook
of the race course. the words aerial
Jockey are now occasionally used. But
the term is an ugly one. There is some
thing vulgar about it, and there Is really
nothing practical to commend ii. Also.
as IL founded upon such a familiar word
as "cyclist," come the terms 'aeroplan-
ist'' and "aerialst." Neither seems to hi
the mark. The former, which Is very ex-
tensively used, is awkward. Such words
as horseman and seaman lead. naturally.
TO the word "airman, which has been
utilized more or less tentatively of late.
But this again. seems rather "'out of the
picture Then, nodded upon more or
less familiar words, We have the term
flyer This. curiously enough, was
1 ny mn
during the Rheims week of flying. Their
own word for flyer, 'voleur.' happens to
mean robber as we'll as a flying man, and
there We're many numerous Commissions be
tween the two This led them To use the
English word, which they pronounced
''fai-eur.' And. in this connection. there
must not be forgotten the simple descrip-
/ ton flying man. This suggests the
! bluntness OF the axiom, Call spade a
! spade" But one cannot help feeling
Z that the word is used merely for want OF
a better one. A new word Is sadly want
/ ed-a word that gives one some sort OF a
mental picture OF mans conquest of the
! air. word with a ring of triumph in it,
! a word TO roll proudly from the tongue
] Attached to each ground where aerial
machines fly there is open space upon
which their drivers practice before COM
hitting themselves to the air. What is
/ this to be named? So far at aeroplane
| gatherings, it has been called all manner
| o. things. Those who use the term
aerial jockey" naturally call 1t a pad
dock" Others. of a more precise turn OF
mind. style II a ''maneuverng ground "
! Starting park" taking OFF track and
r., aero parade ground have also beer
! used. Here, again. is the need for a
word from the new vocabulary. Certain
! ly, of those words specified, "maneuver.
| ing ground" best describes the purposes
| of the place, but there is nothing In this
| term to connect Il specifically with aerial
/ contests.
The "Heavier-Than-Air Machine"
And then there Is the name for the ma
chimes themselves. The simple term fly