The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-21
MAKES NEW RECORD.
OrvilIe Wright Flies 40 Miles in an
Hour and 20 Minutes.

Washington, July 21.-Esta blishing
new record for aviation in America,
Orville Wright, in the Wright aero
plane late yesterday at Fort Myer
made spectacular flight of one hour
and twenty minutes and 45 seconds
duration.
The longest previous fight was OF
"A minutes made by Mr.. Wright at
Fort Myer last fall.
+ Durin.; the entire fight the machine
was under perfect control, but several
times appeared to the spectators to be
on the point of diving forward. Sew
eral thousand people were given an
exhibition which included the most
daring feats of aviation yet accom-
plished, and at its conclusion mighty
cheer went uD from the throng in
recognition of the splendid achieve
ment
The machine Travelled distance of
about 10 miles and at one time during
the flight the height attained, be-
tween ESQ and 280 feet, exceeded the
highest point ever reached by a heav-
Ter than air machine on this con-
tinent.
The most wonderful part of the
flight was the execution of three COM
plete figure eights," which required
careful maneuVering.
1t was the first time this season and
the second time during his career that
he has executed this maneuVer. With
the determination of making a longer
Wrights ordered the aeroplane taken
to the starting apparatus shortly after
5 o'clock. Three members of Presi-
dent Taft's cabinet, Secretary of the
ersham and Postmaster General
Hitchcock, were on hand early to wit
ness the expected flight.
The machine was released from the
starting point at $40 o'clock. After
travelling several hundred feet at a
distance of only about five feet from
the ground the aeroplane rose grad
ually to a height of IS feet before
making the first turn at the end of the
field. After passing the starting
point the aviator sent the machine up
on each turn to a height of about $50
feet, which was maintained until to-
ward the end of the flight. When on
the sixth round of the field, the aero
plane began fitting perceptibly. Mr..
Wright succeeded in bringing the ma
chine on an even keel again.
After he had been in the air half an
hour, making a complete round of the
field each time, Mr.. Wright maneuver-
ed the machine through several short
circles, some not more than 500 feet
in diameter. Having sufficiently salts
fed himself that he could execute
making large ovals again and con-
tinued those for some time.
Then. after circling the field "a
times, the machine started cutting the
figure eight much TO the delight of
the crowd. Mr.. Wright guided the
machine skilfully through three
"eights'' and then resumed his former
course.
When he had completed these clev-
er maneuvers the aviator started to
make a showing in regard to height.
The aeroplane rose on each lap until
it had scared to a height of between
26O and ESQ feet. Atsthis altitude the
machine flew half a dozen rounds and
then gradually descended. Wright
made a successful and easy landing
after completing SO rounds of the field.
Mr. Wright met every requirement
set forth by the government, except
that of carrying one passenger and
making the FIVE mile straight away
run Both of these requirements
probably could have been met. but it
is the intention of the Wright brothers
to get their machine in perfect condi-
ton before attempting the official
flights