New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-16
As Safe as Dry Land
Mrs. james v. Martin. the Youngest Bird
Woman. Thus Describes Her Big Airship.

more room for doubt. She stayed In the
sunset for eighteen minutes, guiding her
machine over five excited towns, ana
amply demonstrating to America what
Europe already knew, that woman can ny.
The little bird-woman has been disap-
pointed in many of her plans since she ar
rived in this country, for her own, her
very own airship in which she was to have
made az many astonishing flights was not
completed az soon as she expected. and
there was none SHE could buy or borrow.
When her machine did come. however, on
one of the last Gays OF the Waltham meet.
II made her fellow birdmen gasp, It was
so big-amost twice as bulky as the one
in which Harry n. Atwood had been GID
ing over the neighborhood.
II know what / am about" she told the
brotherhood. laughing. Those little things
OF yours are faster than mine but not so
steady. My big machine is as safe as dry
land. which is what 1 want I don't intend
/, to be killed on my honeymoon, nor until
I've seen more Of this country than just
Boston"
The Massachusetts, aviators looked their
appreciation Of the first reason, even II they
did seem to resent the implication in the
second. The Tribune correspondent de-
manded an explanation Of the reference TO
n honeymoon. Mrs Martin tossed her curly
head and laughed.
well. this is all there is about that" she
said promptly. You see. Mr. Martin came
over TO England 10 attend Grahame- Whites
aviation school in the town where lived,
and so I met him, and after a while I de-
cided I'd learn to fly too. II people are
going TO be friends they must be doing the
same things. mustn't they? Well, Mr..
Martin helped me learn to fly, and-and
then we were married and now we're going
to spend all our lives flying around to-
eetber.
Afraid? Why, no, What is there
| to be afraid Of II one is careful In an air
ship? ! know how TO manage the machine
perfectly well. have always loved ma
chinery-even before I met Mr.. Martin.
When was little girl was always FUSS
ing over bicycles and such things; they
were so nice and grimy and much more in
teresting than dolls or silly embroidery. SO
7 feel as well acquainted with the machin-
cry Of my arship as anybody need he.
made several long flights in England, YOU
know. AT very high level. and had no
trouble at all.
I'm fact. think few women would have
trouble II they once became interested IN
lit. They are just as we'll adapted TO 1t as
men. An aviator does not require grea'
strength. What is needed is a sensitivenes.
10 details. a quick eye. clear head and a
delicate touch on the levers. Women are
supposed to be more delicately strung a!
we say. and to think more quickly. so
don't see why we aren't really more adapt
ed to aviation than men are. European
women are flying a great deal more thar
the Americans as yet. | understand. but
40 not gee any reason why all womel
should not do IT as easily as they drive
autorceuss Women would probably b
more oa:-Sil Gao n,:n, too, and not TAX
risks which were unnecessary just for IN
sake OF showing on.
mo. I wasn't afraid. even the hrst tim
I went up DO you know. | was really dis
anpointed? II was so tame We Just sa
I'm the machine. and went up quietly int
the air. only II did not seem as IL W
were rising, but as II the field wa 3 fallin
away from US. Then we went on up. calm
~ and stiffiy without a jar or hardly
brseze against our faces. | was tored I
death. really! II was better when could z
IN alone. To really control TIE airshi
and steer 1t where you wish to so. u
into the clouds og acgoxa Ne trees an