Grants Pass daily courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1919-1931, 1919-07-30
FIRST FLIGHTS OF COMMERCIAL
AIIpLaNi0s MADE FROM
CITY TODAY
WEBER AND ROB|E FIRST TO FLY
Plane to Remain TIN Thursday Even
Ing and Take Passenger 20
Ashland

''How do you feel2'' did you like
itg" WAS Il ooid?" WAS 10 min
utes long enough7" and hundreds OF
other foolish questions were shot at
several Grants Pass people after
they had taken flight into the
clouds which hung low over the val
ley this morning. But the clouds did
not mar the pleasure nor dampen the
ardor OF flying fans who anxiously
awaited their, turn to occupy the
front seat In the Curtis plane owned
by the Medford Aircraft company
which arrived from Medford this
morning and win remain in the city
over Thursday,
The plane was piloted by IAenten-
ant Floyd Hart, n Medford boy, and
carried as passenger John Denlson OF
this city. The trip was made from
Medford 20 Grants Pass In % min
utes, All was clear at the hop of
and the plane made a steady ascent
without cIrcllng. At Rogue River a
bank OF clouds was encountered.
The plane circled over this city above
the clouds and although the hum OF
the propeller was plainly heard the
machine was out OF sight. 1900 feet
above the city. The Curtis appeared
in sight at about S:l5 and while
sailing over the city many heralds
announcing the appearance OF "Chin
Chin" at Medford Friday we're let
drop and the slips OF paper sailed
gracefully TO earth. but In making a
couple OF circles to reduce elevation
the plane encounted batch OF print
sd matter which had been let 20 n
few minutes before.
After the landing was made at tho
aviation field the plane was looked
over by Mechanician Seely Hall. of
Medford. and Relief Pilot Delbert
Jones. OF Ashland. and fresh sup-
ply OF gasoline was taken on and the
ship was ready for commercial
flights.
II. W .webber was the first pas
senger to sign the little slip OF pa
per which relieved the company Of
responsibility In case OF accident. He
donned helmet and goggles and
waved adieu TO the crowd. On his
return to earth 10 minutes later
Mr.. Wobber was enthusiastic regard
Ing the experience, Nothing like
it." he said, ~ would like to stay
un two hours"
I. A. ROBBIE was the second pas
senger He approached the machine
with a "do or die" expression on his
face. He chewed his Spearmlnt With
a little more vim than usual but he
waved CHEEKY good bye to the
spectators. On his return Mr.. Ro-
bic was feeling fine" "You ought
to take the trip" he said, you get
a Wow OF the country that YOU viii
never get otherwise. Why, the lum-
ber yard looks about this big" said
the man who is engaged in cutting
the lumber UP into fruit boxes, as he
extended his hands n space which
corresponds to the length of his IA
yorito cigar.
The third passenger was o. Arm
fspiker. His experience was similar
TO the others, Then Harry Cougle
put on the helmet and goggles and
sailed away around the rim OF the
mountains which enclose the city.
Other passengers during the fore
noon were ], g. Williams. n. r
Brewer, N. CR. Green, r., p. Kroh and
AL Martineau.
Flights were suspended for time
on account Of slight wind but were
resumed in the afternoon with
clear sky,
The airplane field Is the propert,
OF DR. Ioughridge and was fitted VI
CONTINUED On page 81