Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-31
MOTORCYCL|sTs MAKE
EXCELLENT AER0NAUTs
Experienced Riders Acquire Delicate
Sense of Balance Necessary to
Fly Successfully.
NAVAL TESTS PROVE THIS
Cyclists Are Also Usually Thorough
~ Familiar With Mechanism of
Their Machines, Which Rcsem-
blcs .Airplane.

In an article written for Motor Life.
John Edwin HogE, of the United States
naval aero corps. dwells most inter-
cstingly on the assumption that the
nature of his training is invaluable In
:he making of an aeronaut OF the
modern InotorcyciiSt.
Hoeg states that 1.-The motorcyciist OF
any extensive experience has acquired
in a very high degree that delicate
sense of balance without which no one
could possibly qualify as an aviator.
The very first examination that is
given TO applicants seeking to enter
the United States aero service is the
test OF this sense of balance and
stability. Various machines are used
for the test, and il the applicant fails
nc is rejected Immediately. Education
or the most perfect physical qualifica
lions count for nothing IL the sense or
ba lance and equilibrium is in any way
lacking.
AT government. aero base the
writer recently witnessed the balance
test OF ten applicants. Five Of the
men had undergone extensive motor
cycle training. The other FIVE had nc
cyclists qualified with an average time
of five seconds each in adjusting them
selves 10 an even keel after being put
through the tests. OF the other five
men three were rejected, while the
average time OF the two successful ap-
pi!cants IN adjusting themselves 10 the
test was fifteen seconds each.
MOTORCYCLE MOTOR
RESEMBLES AERO MOTOR
Most motorcycles have thoroughly
fsmiliarized themselves with the opera
tion and upkeep OF their motors. and
have thus acquired the fundamental
knowledge without which thorough
schooling IN mechanics would be neces-
sary. The tiny little motorcycle m otor
Is in reality a sort OF Lil!putian air
craft unit. Technically it bears a
greater similarity TO the airpianc motor
than any other type OF internal com
bustion engine.
LAS further evidence OF the value OF
motorcycle training in aviation. We
have but to lock into the careers of
some OF the most distinguished airmen.
Almost without exception they have
taken 10 the air with tho motorcycle
"a stepping stone. The Wright
brothers conducted a bicycle shop. and
- gasoline ousted the horse. they
Graduated to the motorcycle. Glenn II
Cl.tiSs. one OF Americas foremost
av:ators and airplanc manufacturers,
H-st gained national prominence as a
motorcycle racer. Lincoln Beachey wa Is
= motorcycle racer before he began
flying, were also Glenn l.. Martin
and Art Smith. SO on through the list
VIC might 60. hnding scarcely a single
exception.
Numerous motorcycle road races. en-
dUrance and reliability contests pro-
noted By the Federation OF American
Motorcyclists during the past several
years have developed stability and
physical endurance on the part OF
notorcycllsts unquestionably far in
excess Of what would ever be demand ed
OF them in aeronautics.
With all things considered, Il Is
worthy OF note that on the application
blank for enlistment into any branch
Of the Uaited States aero service APP
pear the questions: Are you a motor
cyclist? DO you understand the care
and operation and repair of motor
cycles and motorcycle motors? The
fact that these questions are asked 10y
the government is only a further indi-
cation that the motorcycle trained
acronautic applicant is possessed al
knowledge of inest!mable value which
VIII stand him in good stead in his
air work"