New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-06-18
.bROOKINS'S NEW RECORD
Reaches Altitude of 4,5O3 Feet
at indianapolis.
GLIDES TWO MILES TO EARTH
Motor Clogs in Descent-Aston-
ished Farmer Only Witness
as He Alights.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune. J

Indianapolis, June 17.-WaIter Brook
ins, in a Wright biplane, broke his own
worlds aeroplane record for altitude to-
day when ne scared to height of 4,5O3
feet, according to the measurement of
the altimeter. His motor stopped as he
was descending. and he made a glide of
two miles, landing easily in a wheat
field
Brookins landed after being in the air
an hour and half. The previous alti-
tude record was 4, 3S4119 feet. which he
set here last Monday
Brookins started at the Indianapolis
speedway, and. flying in wide circles,
reached his highest altitude in forty
minutes. The machine was then only a
speck in the sky. at moments lost to the
view of the crowd.
A Sweeping Descent.
The biplane seemed to pause for sew
eral minutes. and then it began a slow
descent. sweeping five miles east of the
speedway in its downward course.
Drawing in his circle to a point three
miles nearer to his starting place,
Brookins found himself hundreds of feet
from earth. and flying over woods,
meadows and creeks strange to him
Because of the falling darkness he could
not see the automobile track from which
he had risen.
+ At this stage the motor clogged. and
Brookins's only chance was to hold his
steering planes true and glide to earth.
For two miles he slid down through the
air in the general direction of the speed
way. When it's stone retaining wall
loomed white before him he knew that
he could not reach it, Slipping over the
tops of trees. he sailed over a wheat
field and dropped lightly to the ground.
An astonished farmer with a shotgun.
guarding his property against tres
passers from the roads leading from the
speedway. and not suspecting an in
truder from above. was the only person
near when Brookins swept to the ground
and stepped out of the machine TO
stretch his stiffened limbs and wait for
searchers. who We're securing the coun-
tryside for him.
Military Opinions.
From a military point of view the
flights of the Wright aeroplanes here
have been extremely interesting and in
structive. Five machines of this type
have been on the aviation grounds flying
singly, in pairs and even three at a
time, and have set records for altitude
and for quick turning that are consid-
ere6 of particular Importance from a
military point OF view.
Few military men who have closely
watched the remarkable development of
the aeroplane now doubt that IL will be
OF supreme Importance as an instrument
for scouting and reconnaissance, and
they point out that upon this work-the
rapid gathering of accurate information
largely depends the success OF any
military operation. Not Only as the
means of making daring reconnoissances
Of the enemy's position. but also for the
nurpose of making raids. blowing up
bases OF supplies and cutting lines of
communication. they think the military
aaroplane will be used.
Most experts. including Wilbur Wright.
agree that the aeroplane. at least in its
nresent stage of development. is not
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