Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-10
In TRIAL FLIGHT
CURTISS SCARS
LIKE HUGE BIRD
Thousands Cheer as New
and Untried Biplane
Leaps Into Sky
PILOT WELL PLEASED
AerialiSt Says Preliminary
Effort One of Most Sue
CesSful of Career
BY SHIRLEY A. OLYMPUS


lN HE first successful flight ever
| made in an aeroplane on the
"A Pacific coast was accom-
plished yesterday afternoon at
Dominguez aviation field, when
Glenn H. Curtiss, master aviator
and speed king, negotiated nearly
a mile in the air in a biplane of his
own invention and construction,
He remained in the air nearly
two minutes and came to the
ground only at his own volition.
The fight was made by Mr..
Curtiss in compliance with the
requests of newspapermen and
others, and was undertaken to
test brand new aeroplane sold
to Clifford Harmon, the New
York millionaire aviator and
sportsman.
Mr.. Curtiss really made three flights,
| two short trips and one long one,
| going the last time halfway around
the aviation course. Each fight was
made without the slightest effort and
without the trace of an accident. When
| he finally reached the ground and left
the biplane seat he said his flights were
the most successful and the most en-
joyable, though not the longest and
most notable, of his entire career as
an aviator.
Scars as a Bird
The hearts of 5000 persons were ect "a
humping as never before in this lie
when Curtiss left the ground and
scared like bird through the ain
Cheer after cheer was sent up III 81
miration of the air king and his cor
querfng of the forces of the al and
earth gravity. If there be any
Doubling Thomases" left in Los An
geles, certainly none of them was pres.
ent at Dominguez yesterday afternoon.
To see is to believe, and 5000 have al
ready seen a biplane soaring through
the air.
1t was just the touch needed to make
Aviation week a success-that flight OF
Glenn Curtiss'. So much has been said
and written about what will take place
during the coming eleven days that
Angelenos are ready for most any
thing. But they still have to see an
actual Highland they will see not
one but many if they go to Dominguez
field.
An indescribable feeling comes over
one when dn deTOpldHe DSSlnS IT'S
flight. 1t is feeling of mingled awe
and exultation, of joy and fear. Ones
nerves grow tense; ones heart beats
faster and one feels glad in the real
ization that he is living in the wonder
full twentieth century. 1t isn't the feel
ing that comes from watching horse
or an auto race. 1t isn't the feeling
that comes while watching a balloon
ascension. It's the feeling that makes
one want to cry out for very joy and
1 amazement that so wonderful a thing
as actually flying is at last an accom-
plished fact.
Crows at Park
Early yesterday morning crowds
poured through the gates at the Pa
cific Electric depot, bound for Domin-
guez. 1t was expected that Curtiss
would make his flight early in the
morning, but many minor things inter
fered. 1t was not until near 2:30 in
the afternoon that the Curtiss bird
was brought from its aviary for flight.
For hours, mechanicians had been
working carefully over the machine
which had never, before yesterday
afternoon, been off the ground. Every
rod, every bit of wire, every blade and
plane was gone over carefully to see
that nothing was lacking and nothing
was too weak or infirm for fight. Cur
tiss himself, assisted by Mr.. Harmon
and c. X. Hamilton, one of the expert
aViators of the world, superintended
all the work. The engine, beautiful
four cylinder machine, was tested sew
eral times. The air currents were in
Vestigated. And finally the field was
cleared of all spectators.
From the tent where the biplane had
been resting for several days, it was
towed 200 yards up close to the grand
stand. The first fight was made to the
west in the teeth OF slight wind.
Briefly flight is made through the
revolving of a huge blade located inn
mediately at the back of the aviator.
This blade revolving with lightning
like rapidity, forces the air backward,
setting up a perfect gale. The two
main planes are curved in the same
manner as a birds wings.
The air striking these planes and
forced backward, keeps the craft afioat
and moving forward. The use OF four
small planes attached to long rod,
causes the craft to rise or fall at the
will of the operator. Steering of the
> biplane is done by means of a rudder
far back of the aviator and IN the path
of the gale made by the revolutions of
the blade. The aircraft runs along the
ground much like an automobile until
: the engine is going at terrific rate.
Then the four front planes are slightly
, lowered and up goes the biplane, just
} like bird.
! Had No Difficulty
When Curtiss made his first flight
ne had no difficulty. He started his
!, engine, and the explosions from it
sounded like a hundred motorcycles
set in motion all at once. Along the
ground he sped for $50 feet at a 90
mile-an-hour clip. Then he turned his
raising blades and up he went to the
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