The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1919-06-05
The First Flight

Ones first flight is much like one'
first operation. He learns it is to be, ant
awakes to find it has been. Also he fol-
lows instructions with lambike obedi.
ence. When things get in full swing
that is, when it is time for the ether ane
| too late to back out-he thinks of his
! sins.
! Not long ago | was closeted with the
president of a wel-known aircraft cor.
poration. Suddenly he asked if I bad
ever been up. l thought of two late
friends, both of whom met tragic ends
shortly after offering to take me aloft,
and as shortly before doing so, and re-.
piled negatively.
The president looked at his watch. 1t
was four O'Clock.
"Pll send you up this afternoon" he
said, turning to his telephone.
The field was six miles distant by man.
but not so by motor car. AT least it was
reached in scarcely that many minutes.
But in six minutes of rapid drivinp-or in
what seems to be only SIX minutes--many
things may attract ones attention.
The drone of motor overhead was
audible. Several thousand feet aloft an
aeroplane, apparently gone crazy, was
dizzy succession. A moment later, we
approached quaint little graveyard. A
cemetery that has the appearance of age
and this one had-holds certain fasci-
nation for some folks. Old fashioned
slabs, cracked, crumbled, and askew,
with weather. beaten epitaphs and home
ly American names, hold interest for one
who finds enjoyment in browsing around
nyrtnrpSnna
seemed interesting, as looked again at
the sky-larking plane in the distance.
We reached the field.
The first guard passed me to second,
the second turned me over to an office
boy On roller skates. The office boy was
speedy convoy. In less time than it
takes to tell it, wos signing my name to
pink tag and white card-a mere form
alty, but for the convenience of the coro-
ner, no doubt. Then there was another
walk-this time brisk one under escort
through the factory.
AS we emerged from the doorway of
vacant hangar and stepped into the field,
a yellow De Haviland plane, a few yards
ahead, faced US. The pilot stepped for
ward with hand extended. 1t was much
like getting into prize ring by accident
and shaking gloves with Jess Willard.
Presently, ensconced in the heavily up
hoIstered rear seaL, | was securely strap
ped in place.
We were off. The roar of the engine
grew intense. The plane trembled. The
ground, covered with dead turf, looked
like yellow mating as the machine swept
across it, gaining speed each inch it trav-
eled.
Flying doesn't make one think he has
wings, Neither does it make him sea-
sick, nor scare him to death by taking
him to "dizzy" heights. In fact, straight
flying is as nearly devoid of unusual SEN
satlons as anything possibly could be-
Unfamiliarity with the district over which
we flew made it impossible for me to keep
my bearings. | was completely bewilder-
ed. 1t was like riding in train and sud-
denly coming in view Of ones home town
after years of absence, therefore, when
sighted, miles" below, the little grave
yard that | had previously passed in the
motor car. AS gazed upon it, fascinated
TOR some queer reason, the pilot sud
denly throttled the engine and pointee
The nose of the ship straight down.
! Down we went for 2, 500 ft-as | after
ward learned-in an Intoxicating dive
AT last flying, more literally falling, wa
exhilarating. All was dead quiet, excep
for the rush of the air, and there was n
vibration. This was Swimming in spaceH
Again the motor roared, and down W
dipped, reaching the normal flight on a.
even keel at full speed.-Seare Hendee
IN the June Popular Mechanics Magazine