St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-08-11
GREAT A|RSH|P MEET
Worlds Famous AeropIanists to
Compete at Rheims, France.
MANY THOUSANDS FOR PRIZES

International Cup Race Chief Event.
Tests For DirisibIe and Spherical
Balloons Included In the Program.
Why the Wrishts Declined to Enter
the Contests.
A summers activity and progress in
aviation in France which have exceed
ed the dreams of the most enthusiastic
followers Of the sport will be crowned
by the assembling of the most re-
nowned aeroplanists at week of
aviation" arranged to open at Rheims
on Aug. %.
The entries for the various events on
the program include Latham. mono
plane; Bleriot, monoplane; Deagrange.
biplane with tail; Farman, biplane;
Sommer. biplane; Santos-Dumont. mo-
noplane; Count de Lambert and lis
sander, pupils of Wilbur Wright. and
Demarest. noncompliance; Esnault-Pelte
rie, monoplane; Gobron, biplane with
tail; De Rue, biplane with tail; Ru-
chonnet, biplane; Guffroy, monoplane,
and Glenn II. Curtiss, who will be the
official representative of the Aero Club
of America. The nations taking part
include France, America, Austria. Eng
land and Italy.
Declination of the Wrights.
1t was hoped that the Wright broth
ers would enter. but they declined, it
is understood, on the ground that they
objected to the clause in the rules al
lowing machines to stop during the
running of the races. On the opening
day the French entries will hold an
elimination race to select three pilots
who will represent the Aero Club of
France in the principal event of the
week, that of the international cup of
aviation, which will be contested for
on the final day of the meet.
This race is for twenty kilometers
| about twelve and half miles,. and
the winner will be the aeroplanist who
covers the distance in the shortest
time. The race will be run twice
around special course measuring ten
kilometers about six and quarter
miles,, but, owing to the necessity of
making wide sweeps at the turns, the
actual distance covered will be consid-
erably in excess of that distance.
One Prize of $4,000.
In addition to the International race
several other distinct events will be
held. five for aeroplanes, one for
dirigible balloons and one for spherical
balloons. The Grand Prix de la Cham
payne, aggregating $4,000, will be
awarded to the pilot Of the aeroplane
which has covered the greatest dis
lance without a renewal of fuel or
without coming in contact with the
ground.
The Prix de Vitesse speed test over
distance of thirty kilometers, will be
run on Aug. % and %, the prizes of a
total amount of $1,000 to be distributed
among the first four competitors. The
Prix de Passengers, on Aug. %, will be
awarded to the pilot who has carried
the greatest number of passengers
distance of 4en kilometers. AS it is
possible that several aeropanists will
cover this distance with the same num-
Der of passengers, in such case the
prize of $1,000 will be awarded to the
time.
On Sunday, Aug. 20, the Prix de
latitude will be contested, the prize
of $1,000 to go to the aviator attaining
the greatest height, the method of
measurement being a registering ba-
rometer carried on the aeroplane. No
prize will be awarded for height less
than fifty meters, or 1G5 feet
For dirigible balloons there is purse
of $1,000 for five rounds of the course
or fifty kilometers, which may be at
tempted any day of the meet in day
light. Although the number of dirigi-
bles to compete is yet unknown, the
French minister of war has given as
surances that France will send at least
one military airship.
The spherical balloon contest will be
in the form Of landing competition.
The event is open to pilots of the Aero
Club of Franco, and four prizes are Of
fered.
Huge Aerodrome Being Built.
The aerodrome is being arranged on
the plain of Bethany, at the portal Of
the city of Rheims. which in 1901 was
the scene of Il military review of $780,
900 troops before the car Of Russia.
Seats and stands are being constructed
there to accommodate vast number
Of spectators.
The task of properly preparing for
this imposing aerial meet is naturally
stupendous. The first thought has been
that Of preventing accidents. and Il
stout barricade has been built around
the course to prevent spectators from
invading the aerodrome proper. MI
merous aeroplane and balloon sheds
have been constructed, and an i'm
mense garage for automobiles is laid
out and restaurant set up, and for
the convenience of the public a spe-
rial railroad station is building direct
~ behind the grand stands, so that
visitors may step from the trains di-
rectly to the aerodrome.
IL