The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-04-30
WR|GHTS HOPE
OF UNCLE SAM
Must Uphold American HonOrs
in International Avia-
tiOn Contests.
ELIMINATION CONTESTS
WILL BE HELD IN MAY
Big Meet in New York City
Soon to Hold More Than
Ordinary Interest.

Within the next few weeks the men
birds that migrated for the winter Will
return TO New York to open the flying
season. This year the aeronautical ccn-
ter Will be the Belmont Park track. which
is the aerodrome of the Aero Club OF
America.
Preparations are under way for a meet
on May 10. 20 and II. which will have
more than ordinary interest. because on
one OF the three days there will be. an
| elimination contest for the selection OF an
American team TO represent this country
at the international championship race TO
! be flown in England on July l.
| Much concern has been expressed as to
whether the United States Will be able to
send over team that will stand show
when pitted against some of the foreign
airmen, who are particularly skilled In
| speed work
Glenn H. Curtiss. the champion of 1909.
Recently announced that he would not
make an entry. This virtually places the
burden on the Wright brothers; and II is
| believed that they are capable OF build
Ing machine of enough speed to make
| IL at least interesting for foreign repre-
| sentativeS.
Drexel Is Not Eligible.
1t is probable that Walter Brookins will
pilot Wright machine in the contest.
| II is also expected that Philip Q, Par
melee. another member of the Wright
group of fliers, will make an entry. j.
Armstrong Drexel, one of the foremost
American aviators. Is not eligible on ac-
| count of his not being a member OF the
Aero Club of America.
His resignation from the club was the
result Of misunde rstandins In regard to
| is hardly probable. however, that he
would take part, as he has said that In
the future he would not engage In COM
petitive flying.
The club has more than twenty licensed
pilots, including Henry Weyman. st.
Croix. Johnstone. Earle Ovington. Charles
Hamilton: Harry Hardness. ]. ".
Both Martin and Weyman.. who are
now in Europe. have asked TO be allowed
to make ;ds their qualifying fights on the
| Club of America will grant the conces-
| sion.
/ In order to stimulate interest In the
national council OF the Aero Club of
$4,000 TO be divided among the three win
! ners selected for places on the team.
Another big event planned for the meet
Is an intercity race from Washington 70
! New York by way of Atlantic City. The
| TO offer prizes for the best time made
over different legs of the course.
1t has been suggested that the aviators
could follow course OF two stops. with
the turning point at the Atlantic City
| lighthouse.
| This would take the aviators over
| chesapeake ana ]elaWare Days ana the
| mouth OF the New York harbor. The
| total distance would approximate 250
miles IT Is calculated the aerial naviga-
tors could easily exceed the train time
! by three hours.
u. s. Excels OH Water.
The one phase of aeronautics in which
| this country has exceeded all others Is
| In producing a machine adapted 10 use
over water. 1t was while training two
| officers Of the United States navy and
tlTap officers n
Cal, that Glenn Fl. Curtiss perfected be-
| tween times hydro -aeroplane. He was
the first aviator to fly from and allght
on the water.
In later experiment Mr.. Curtiss fur
ther demonstrated the use of the aero
plane as military machine by landing
on the water alongside A battleship,
when he was hauled aboard and again
lowered to the water for another ascent.
Mr.. Curtiss maintains that flying over
water is safer than flying over land. for
the reason that flights may be made at
lower altitude. II an abrupt descent
should be made. the worst that could
land there is a possibility of serious
accident.
Mr. Curtiss SAYS this new water ma
chine is a boon for the beginner. He
can skim over tho water until ne is
sure he can control his machine In the
air. He can fly at a height OF ten feet
not be seriously hurt. II he does not
want TO fly he can use the machine as
| motorboat on lakes or rivers at a speed
OF fifty miles an hour
Has Boatlike Float.
The triad, as the new machine is called,
is equipped with boatlike float, upon
which II rests when in the water. and two
hydro surfaces, one fastened beneath and
at the end OF either plane, TO prevent the
plant from dipping In making short turns.
The wheels are raised or lowered by the
operation of n lever. according To whether
the machine is used on land or water.
Mr.. Curtss has also constructed mill
tary machine, Instead of placing the
seats side by side he has a tandem ar
rangement, which gives the passenger n
better opportunity for making ohserva-
tions. 1t is compact and solidly built and
can easily be carried on one wagon, One
| OF these machines was recently purchased
by the German government. and has been
shipped TO San Antonio for experimental
! work.
Experiments were also made with the
| triplane, but II was found that the extra
surface only increased the lifting power
about 200 pounds, This machine has not
| been duplicated, as " was figured that
| the difference OF weight did not justify
| the added expense OF another surface.