The Washington herald., 1909-07-21
The PalaiS Royal, G St. s. 18th lIth St

smoke there were hung Imply above the
horizon. The sun brought ont distinctly
every line Of the areoplane, and glanced
brilliantly from the canvas OF the plans.
while the ribs showed darkly through the
cloth as the mechanical bird few almost
over the heads Of the spectators at the
north end Of the field.
After making sixteen circuits Orville
evidently decided II was time 70 do some
stunts He cut the next circle very short.
so that his progress was a continual
curve. He circled al the near end OF the
field. then at the far end.
Cast "A Long Shadow.
And every time he passed down the
west side OF the parade ground. above the
stables. the long shadow cast by the low
lying sun fitted along the tops OF the
trees on the other side OF the field. In
Arlington Cemetery.
The short circles had dlameters hardly
more than 800 feet. From that size they
ranged 20 the giant sweeps 70 which Or
Vile devoted most OF the flight, IN the
course OF which he Travelled about three
quarters OF a mile.
AS the dfty-three minute mark OF Glenn
II Curtiss was reached and passed, VII
bur was looking closely at his watch. and
Up IN the air Orvine took his own way
OF showing how he knew he had cap
tured his competitors record
he was then passing down the south
end Of the field. Instead OF coming back
/ up the cemetery side, he changed his
course and headed diagonally up the pa
rade ground.
Hes going 70 reverse his course. &"
/ somebody shouted, and the crowd waited
/ with baited breath 10 see the result OF
I the maneuver.
/ Swaying beautifully on the sharp turns,
/ and twining in and out IN an aerial
dance, the aeroplane described a perfect
figure eight Again the strange outline
was drawn against the sky, and then
\ the third time
] A real sensation was felt by the crowd
when on several OF the turns the machine
/ seemed 70 waver slightly. once II looked
as II Orville had nearly lost control OF II
This ne denied after the flight
/ Having shown that he had the areo
plane in his vest pocket. and could make
It do everything but talk, the operator
turned back into the old course around
the parade ground It was the first time
OrviHe has ever put the machine TO 81
severe a test, although he reversed hi,
direction Of flight couple Of times las
fall
Meant to Break Record.
Again the interest became especially
tense when the mark OF one hour ant
fourteen minutes. made by Orvine las
fall, was approached. It was evident IN,
aviator intended to break his own record
Wilbur was watching his timepiece care
fully. Except when the Curtiss mark wal
passed. It was the only occasion on which
the older brother seemed 10 care mucl
what was going on. or 10 take any par
ticUlar interest in the fact that a record
In aviation for one-ha.f the world wa
being torn into lace.
AS the second hand OF Wilbur's watcl
Jumped past the time Of Orvilles previous
record. Wilbur put the watch back int
his pocket. That was his demonstration
Orville let his record 90 by the boards
without a variation from his course.
Sailing on q level keel on the straight
aways and taking the turns as evenly
as a swift passenger train, the aeroplan,
swept on, around and around, taking tn,
long course. Circuit after circuit wa
d4OSu " NAe score until LQA LQkal mum
Der had reached eighty, and the new tins
/ record had been safely set on its feet
Then Orville began 10 think OF aomins
down.
He contracted the length Of his laps
coming gradually down toward tn
ground AS he came toward the startin,
derrick on the eighty-second round n
descended to q level OF eight feet an,
seemed about TO aHght. With a sudde,
dip and a swoop he rose IN the air
few feet again and went on across tn
field.
He hugged the ground near the stables
turned of. his power when about five fee
up, and landed with a slight rocl1inl
motion a little dust rose in the air; IN
winged sled glided across the grass 10
fifteen feet, and came 10 a stop, perfec
in every rod and brace. after capturing
without a sign OF distress. the world
admiration.