The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-29
SENSATIONAL AEROPLAkIYG
 PROMISED FOR BRIDGEPORT

Sensational aeroplane flights are promised at the old Nutmeg park, Stratford, when J. A D. McCurdy, one of Americas pioneer aviators, will make a series of flights in his Curtiss biplane
 Aside from Glenn H. Curtiss and the Wright brothers MT. McCurdy has had a. longer and more valuable fly ing experience than any other aviator, having made one of the first public flights in the United States besides be- ing the first man to fly an aeroplane in Canada, where he still holds the records for distance and duration of flight.
 He was associated with Glenn H. Curtiss when the Hammondsport man was making his first experiments in aeronautics in the Aerial Experiment Association. of which both were mem bers McCurdy made his first flight in a machine heavier than air nearly three years ago. which is ancient his tory in aviation At that time he flew the White Wing the second machine built by the association Later he op- erated the June Bug the first ma- chine designed by Glenn H. Curtiss, which made successful flights from the first trial and with which MT. Curtlss won the Scientific American trophy for that year.
 built the silver Dart" on specified 1ions furnished by McCurdy, and he made a number of successful flights the first in his own machine being on December $. Since that time he has built and flown other machines at Badeck, Nova Scotia, at the experi- mental headquarters of pr. Alexander Graham Bell.
 McCurdy is a young engineer who, with F. ". Baldwin, was engaged by pr. Bell to build terrahedral tower
 f, in hi kite experiments Before this work was completed, a strong friendship ex- isted between Dr. Bell and the two young engineers. The younger men showed keen interest in the experi- ments of the inventor and discussed aeronautic problems with him, show ing such interest and enthusiasm that Mrs Bell suggested the forming of an experiment association which she promised to finance for a year.
 The association was formed with pr. Bell chairman and Lieut.. Thomas F. Selfridge a young army enthusiast who joined in the experimental work as special detached duty, as secretary. Because of his knowledge of motors and special construction work, Curtiss, was invited to join, and was made director of experiments.
 It was planned that each member should design a machine which should be built by the association. The first machine "Red Wing" was designed by Lieutenant Selfridge. The White Wing designed by Baldwin, followed, and in this McCurdy made his first flight
 Following the White Wing" Curtiss designed and superintended the con- struction of the June Bug with which NcCurdy flew number of times and rbe "Silyer Dart designed by Me Curdy was the final machine built by the association before it disband- ed -,a
 McCurdy's most important work was undoubtedly his wireless experi- rnents carried on with H. M. Horton, a wireless expert. Using an apparatus designed by MT. Horton, McCurdy sent The first wireless message ever sent from an aeroplane in flight, a feat de- rlared bv army experts to be the most Important step up to that time to- ward making the aeroplane valu- able military accessory.