New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-25
PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION
IN FLYING OFFERED.
Series of Lessons on "derOStatiOn, "
"DirigibEe Balloons" and Aria
ton" Complete Equipment.
BY ALBERT c. S-sIACA.

Two years ago Captain Ferber. who, with Err
EFT Archdeacon. was one Of the champions of the
science OF aviation In France. and to whom !
had submitted my idea OF establishing school
Of aerOnautics in the United States, said TO me
+Wben you informed me Of your plans smiled,
then I understood. and now / am sure Of your
success"
Since then developments have come rapidly
until the last few days. when Glenn ii. Curtiss,
the only American competitor in the aerial races
at Rheims won the Gordon Bennett Cup with
hastily built machine, motor not tried out and
after having made but few flights prior TO the
decisive one.
The wonderful achievements TO which many
were witnesses recently are not the result Of
chance or an OppOrtune hazard, but are the
proper sequel TO the combined efforts of our
predecessors in the struggle for the conquest Of
the air by mechanical means they are results
OF the inventive genius, the perseverance and
energy Of early pioneers: Of the work Of men
such as Professor Octave Chanute. justly con
sidered the father Of aviation; Professor Lang
ley, who had not the satisfaction Of seeing his
dream realized. but whose ideas were taken up
later with success the Wright brothers, whose
spectacular flights astOmded the whole world /;
Alexander Bell. who at the head Of the Aerial
Experimental Association gave a new impetus to
the science OF flying. and many others not so
well known.
ERA OF IMPROVEMENTS.
One mag say that the time Of inventions has
passed and that the era Of improvements is
here; the numerous experiments made in the
last few years have served 10 establish certain
quantity Of rules which are now more or less
closely followed by those interested in this par
ticuIar subject: these rules gradually ex-
tended day after day. that the need in this
line OF activity is now especially for engineers,
uac!iinisis and 50 forth. who will more readily
adapt themselves To this very new branch Of in
dustry.
But these men. while well fitted by their for
rner work. had no place where they could readily
aoquaint themselves with the progress made in
aviation. where hey could study plans and
models already in existence and develop i'm
provememls which they might have in mind and
IL was in order TO ill This need that / decided
two years ago 10 establish practical school Of
aerOnautios
Having gathered during stay Of year In
France rs much data as possible. published ana
unpublished equipped with reductions Of exist
ing models specially built for this purpose by
the original constructors. started this school In
February. 1903 Notwithstanding the doubts
expressed 10y eminent specialists as 10 its future
success. ! may say right here that, while the
ATTENDANCE was never very large. the interest
shown by the students and the excellent results
attained were very gratifying. and proved con-
elrslyeiy that such venture was not of the do
main OF dreams, but would eventually become
practical
The course Of instruction is divided into three