The Washington herald., 1911-04-12
CAPITAL WILL SEE
FAMOUS BIRDMEN
Aviation Meet Opens May 5
at Benning Track.
THREE CURTIss PILOTS COMING
Besides Flights Every Afternoon by
Professionals, Several Warrington
Machines VIII Participate in Con-
tests Open to Amnteurs-NumerO
Prizes Donated by Merchants.

Washington will see some world-fa-
nous birdmen within the next month.
The National Aviation Company has ar
ranged for a meet at Benning on May
5, 6, and I, which will undoubtedly be
the greatest exhibition of flying craft
seen south of New York Already three
Curtiss aviators have been signed, while
negotiations are under way with num-
Der of other aeroplane pilots.
The Curtiss machines will be of the
eight-cylinder type, and will be capable of
carrying passengers. Several society wo-
men have already made the request to
fly at the meet and they may be given
the opportunity. Students of the Ma
tional Aviation School also may go as
passengers, and take part in some of the
maneuverS, especially the bomb drop
ping, the contest for quick starting and
accurate landing. and others of a similar
nature.
Prizes for Amateurs.
IL addition TO the flights by profes-
sionals, every afternoon prizes have been
offered for amateurs, and a number of
local machines will participate There
win be motorcycle races on Benning
track, and speed contests between the
fastest motorcycle and racing automo-
bile and the aircraft. The meet has
been indorsed by the Aero Club of Wash
inSton and the Retail Merchants Asso-
citation. The former organiza ton mas ap-
pointed a committee on exhibition and
trials, of which George Oakley Totten,
jr., is chairman. the other members be
ing Ormsby McCammon and DR.. J. Wes-
ley Bovee-
Coming as it does at the time of the
horse show, many out-of-tOwn visitors
Will he here. Special rates will be given
on railroads running from the South and
West, and VirEiniars and residents of
Western Maryland will have their first
opportunity of seeing flights by the great
est of American aviatCrs
DR.. A F. Zahm, secretary Of the Aero
Club, and Mr.. Totten have been appoint
ed a committee to provide a cup for the
amateurs, Numerous prizes have been
donated by merchants and other Wash
lnStonians for the various events. Prizes
Will be competed for by students of the
National Aviation School at College
Park. and probably by the Rex Smith
flyers. The Washington substation OF
the Aeronauucal Reserve may have a
machine taking Tart in the competition.
Avintors Signed Up.
J. A. u. MCCurdy. who established a
worlds record in flying from Key West
within sight Of Havana; Lincoln Beachy.
the balloonist, weIl-kn0wn in Washing
ton. and H. A. Robinson comprise the
CurtiSs team already signed up 1t is
probable that Glenn Curtiss will be here.
and If 50 Will no doubt make flights.
BY next month the aerodrome at Col
lege Park Will be in excellent condition.
and the army will be making expert
ments- Wireless messages may be sent
from an airship in light at Benning to
the Signal Corps station at College Park.
II this IS done it will establish a worlds
record IN the Transmission Of messages
from ship 20 ship.
Arrangements VIII be made for taking
carc Of the crowds in the Bcnning grand
stand, the hanEars being arranged nearby
50 the machines "an be wheeled quickly
in front of the stand. from which place
the Various flights viii start An excel
lcnt view of the machines. both while
st2rtinE and while in motion viii thus be
offered the spectators.