New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-03
Skill Wins as Engine Stops
Thrice in LOOP the
Loop Trials.
DROPS 200 FEET;
FLIES UPSIDE DOWN
Niles's Monoplane Exhibition at
Hampstead Proves a Thrill
ing Spectacle.

Facing death three separate times
as his Moisant monoplane doscendeo
in q series Of remarkable gyratlons
from n altitude of 5000 feet to Jot
feet. Charles F. Miles, asserted his rank
with the foremost aviators of the world
at Garden City yesterday afternoon.
While his three attempts TO loop the
loon we're unsuccessful, Niles demon
stratod that there was no conceiVablc
position a monoplane could attain
when the machine was beyond control
from which the avia tor, if he knew ms
levers and kept cool head could not
extricate himself
Niles not only flow upside down, side
wise and at almost inconceivabie an
giles. bnt twice his machine plunged
toward the earth tail foremost.
FIieht Terrified Spectators.
on his three attempts to turn com
nlete somersault the engine stdIicd
uben the monoplane was perpendlcuidr
a n.
witnessed the flight gasped in horrof'
thinking the aviator would be dashed
unon the hangers below him, but on
each occasion Niles's steady nerve en-
abled him TO right the machine. Atter
aliphtinr after his attempt TO ioop the
,oon Niles ascended again and gave an
exhibition Of flying his machine upside
down.
Alan r. Hawley, president of the
Aero Club of America, after he VII
messed he fights said:
THAT man Niles is a wonder | hdd
more thrills while he vas making those
evolutions than experienced Watching
q hundred other fights. thought ne
uas going to fall, smash bang into the
hangers Had any one told me it was
nossible to attain -he positions he did
7 surely would have believed him crazy
1t was inconceivable.'
Niles's record-making flight was
,ede n the Hampstead Plains avia-
tion field at Garden City. For nylng
the day was ideal There was hardy
q breath OF wind, while the brilliant
sun and cool atmosphere lent theh-
selves admirably to aeronautlcs.
Aircraft Strung for Strain.
shortly after 8 o'clock Niles's ma
chine was wheeled out on TO the pam
from it's hangar. 1t was OF the Blue
bird type of Moisant. but larger, ana
strung together with fine woven rope
cables of steel. instead Of piano wire.
The framework was also specially con-
ctructed to withstand the strain placed
on il in looping the loop. Alfred J'
Moisant, president of the Moisant COM
pany. pointed out the features while
Niles made ready.
without wasting time in unneces-
sarv prcliminaries, Niles, attired In
brown khaki suit made in one piece,
a heavy -yoollen sweater, black felt
helmet and woollen gloves, climbed a
stepladder and took his seat inside the
machine. He harnessed himself 10 the
framework with leather contrivance
and then raced the motor, while two
mechanics held the machine in check.
When released the machine ran
lightly along the ground for distance
of a hundred feet, then responded 10
q touch Of the elevating plane and
scared into the air. Niles waved his
hand 10 a group in front Of the sheds.
II had been announced that Niles
would loop the loop. and about twenty
norsons we're there by invitation 10
witness the performance.
After leaving the ground the aviator
borc away in an eastcrly direction for
two miles. then returned, climbing
steadily. lie passed over the hangers
AT an altitude OF LOO feet. made an
other swing, toward the west this time.
and returned, 5000 feet above the
ground
At a point Immediately above the
heads Of the spectators the machine
hovcred an instant, then. as Niles de-
prcssed his tail plane. the acroplcne
Continued on second page, fourth column.