The Washington times., 1911-07-30
ARMY AIR EXPERTS
ENTHUSIASTIC OVER
SCHOOL Of AVIATION
Point to Performances at
College Park Yesterday as
Proof of Success.

Army aviation experts are today cit
ing the performances Of the army avia-
ton school pupils at College Park yes
terday, as overwhelming proof of its
success.
In speaking of the work at the school,
Col. George P. scriven. who in the ab-
sence of General Allen, is acting chief
signal officer. said:
The work of the officers at the avia-
ton school is excellent and Capt. De
Forrest Chandler deserves special COM
mendation and praise for the admirable
way he is conducting it. On my first
visit yesterday to the field at College
Park, l was more than pleased with the
work being done there. Captain Beck
and Lieutenants Arnold, Milling, and
Kirkland are certainly avIators who
have perfect control of their machines.
was much pleased at the report of DR.
John P. Kelly that the health of the
officers and men at the aviation school
was good. I will take great interest in
the work of the instructors and students
at the school,"
Big Crowd Attends.
With hundreds Of other visitors,
Colonel Scriven. who has Just returned
from a three years stay in the Philip
pines, visited the school yesterday.
There was the largest crowd that has
been on the field for many a day, and
the visitors were well repaid by some
excellent and spectacular flying. Lieut.
H. II. Arnold broke the army altitude
record. Glenn H. Curtiss made two
beautiful flights, and Lieutenants Arnold
and Milling both raced with fast ex-
press trains. Paul Peck won a pilot s
license, and other aeronautic feats were
demonstrated by Lieutenant Kirkland.
All day long there was a steady
stream Of visitors to the field and, by
afternoon, the parking space was filled
with automobiles. The spectators
space was all taken up with visitors.
Senators, Representatives, diplomats,
officers Of the army and navy. society,
and visitors to the Capital were out in
full force.
Curtiss naturally attracted much at
tention, but to the credit of Lieutenants
Arnold. Milling. and Kirkland II must
be said they only added to their we'll
known regulations as aviators when
their work was compared with Curtiss'
flying.
CuTtiss did not attempt to do any
fancy flying, but took up his new prac-
tice machine for two flights, and han
died the flyer admirably. His getaways
and landings clearly showed he had per-
feet control over his machine. Eugene
B. Ely will demonstrate the same aero
plane tomorrow morning, and II 1t
proves satisfactory 1t will be accepted
by the Government.
Milling's Volplaning Praised.
Lieutenant Milling was the first of
the officers to take his machine out for
an aerial trip, and his spiral glides and
volplaping were much appreciated by
the spectators. He raced with a train
to Branchville, a distance of three miles.
and then few back with a fast express,
winning both contests easily.
Lieutenant Arnold then went up for
the army altitude record. He first cir
cled the field, and then began a climb
which took him up in the air 1856 feet.
He made the climb in 40 minutes and
80 seconds and came down in n spiral
glide. Lieutenant Kirkland also did
some good work with the Wright
Paul Peck. an aviator Of the Rex
Smith camp, easily qualified for his
pilots license yesterday. George Oak
ley Totten, jr., represented the Aero
fIying ten days. Winning his pilots
license so quickly. and with the skill
he showed yesterday, is considered a
remarkable feat.