White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-06


founded. Not only did he fly but his
fights here undoubtedly established
d record inasmuch as the altitude of
Ely is 6,421 feet, which is a pretty
high point for an aviator to start
from, and is attended with eomplica-
tions of a more or less varied nature.
The flying machine was the star at
traction of the Ely celebration, and
everyone of the hundreds who saw
the unusual sight, was. unanimous in
the opinion that as a sensation the
bird man and his frail machine of
steel, wood and canvas. were all that
had been claimed for them.
Mr.. Burnside. with his assistant,
Mr.. Cary and the Thomas headless
aeroplane, arrived in Ely Tuesday
and the machine was set up in the
space adjoining the Ely garage.
With the machine ready for flying.
the next thing was to find suitable
location from which to start and re-
turn to, after the journey in the sky.
Mr.. Burnside was uncertain as to
whether in the high altitude, he could
leave the ground as readily as he
wished. the pulling power of the ma
chine being reduced very noticeably
by reason of the light atmosphere of
the mountains as compared with the
lower levels. However. his fears were
groundless, and the trial flight early
on the morning of the 4th showed
that the aeroplane would go up all
right and would behave If the air
currents were not too many and COM
plex.
The air currents constituted an ele-
ment of danger and uncertainty, and
Mr.. Burnside saw at once, that as an
aviation field Ely had a good many
things not suited to the purpose. The
draughts that come down from the
canyon are of an uncertain and un-
stable quality, and the close proximi-
ty of mountains was another source
of possible trouble that lead the avia-
tor to seek a starting location that
offered more lee way.
Not many witnessed the first flight
which was made early Fourth of July
morning. but the report that sue
eessful flight had been accomplished
served to stimulate interest in the
flights to come later, and which prov
ed thrillingly satisfactory. The sec
ond flight was made shortly before
noon and the third in the late after
noon. both from East Ely. where con-
ditions were favorable. the aviator
starting from the corner of Eleventh
street and Avenue d, and in both in
stances coming safely and gracefully
back to landing from near the point
where start was made.
The third flight of the day was the
most beautiful from a spectacular
point of view. as 1t was just about
sunset. and the machine. circling high
above the town. caught the reflected
rays from the western sun. and stood
forth in the heavens with cameo like
distinctness and seemed for all the
world like some giant insect of varied
color. An elevation of 5000 feet was
reached. which counting the starting
elevation, made the flying record
more than nine thousand feet
The air conditions for the after
noon flight were much more salts
factory than in the morning. when
Mr.. Burnside passed through puzzling g
air currents. The flights were all
to the west and south from Ely, as
any attempt to head towards Robin
son canyon encountered the air cur
rents that set the aeroplane rocking
In an uncertain manner and made the
pilot look for more safe channels.
The descent from the forenoon flight
was as light and graceful as can be
imagined. and revelation to the
spectators who marveled at the ap-
parent perfect control of the ma :
chine. This was exemplifled In a
more startling manner In the after
noon, when the aviator from the ter
rifying heights volplaned like a shot
to what seemed point dangerously
near the ground. when the course
was as suddenly changed. and the
machine came to beautiful landing
after q long. glide. It pleased the
crowd and after Mr.. Burnside had
stamped from his aoat no was frju n, :