The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-30
ENCOUNTER DANGERS IN
COUNTRYWIDE FLIGHT

Unless unusual strong cross-cur-
rents prevail on the days of fight
from coast TO coast. Captain Roy n.
Francis, pilot Of the =. S. Martin
Bomber. will be able 10 maintain his
course between latitude 81 and AZ N.
In event OF being blown of the course
sometime VIII be lost in regaining the
| prescribed route. This would be OH
! set by favorable winds from the east
which may be found at certain alti-
tudes.
In New Jersey and Eastern Penn
, sylvania, as far west as B~ellefonte.
prominent bridges are found running
southwest and northeast. The ALE
, ghany mountains really start from
Bellefonte on the west n run In a
north and south direction. the high
est point on this air route being 2.25o
feet. The average height In the Ale-
ghanies on this route is about 100
feet. This average extends to Clarion
then begins to slope down gradually
towards Cleveland. A rolling pic
turesaue country west to the Mis-
sissippi river at Rock Island. gradu-
ally rising until Omaha on the Mis-
souri, is reached-elevation about
1000 feet.
Across Nebraska the altitude runs
as high as 4.S49 feet The Platte
Is crossed west of Waterloo, the line
OF night being some twenty miles
south Of the railroad unth Central
city IS reached: thence to North Platte
lis miles.
Continuing westward the line OF the
railroad IL followed close to the Colo
RADIO boundary crossing into Wyoming
at Pine Bluffs. Land elevation is now
above 5000 feef-distance from New
York 1850 miles.
Passing Cheyenne t6.05S feet) the
aviator will pass close to Pole noun
tain 10000 feet) and cross the
Laramie river at the city OF that
name (7,145 feet). A safe flying alti-
tude should be from 1000 to 5000
higher than the land elevation, and
air currents moving around the noun
tains may necessitate a higher alti-
tude to avoid side drifts. Carter.
Wyoming on the Muddy river is -
900 miles from New York-clevation
is S.5o7 feet.
Utah is entered at Castle Rock. Salt
Lake Is n little south Of the direct
route. but advisable to take on ac-
wasatch mountain range. Crossing
Great Salt Lake continuing west
Nevada is entered at Shafter and the
Thousand Springs valley followed
passing north OF the Ruby range and
between the Elko and River ranges
to Carlin and winnemucca then Hum
boldt river valley 10 Reno. An alter
nate route west to Ogden may be
taken that willy cross Lake Tahoe
tS.225 feet) and California entered
at Truckee.
An altitude OF 1900 feet Is nee
essary 10 insure = isef crossing OF
49, Ct>.po ErunAo~
As the transcontinental Night IL
to be one upon which valuable data
and photograph will be made, the
weather conditions will be consider-
able OF a factor and determine the
exact time Of starting after arrange
ments have been completed.
The altitude maintained will he
varied. according to weather condi-
tions while at the higher elevations
a westerly wind may be encountered.
which In \ measure would retard the
pr gress OF the fiers At . lower level
more favorable currents would be
found to exist. az was the case in the
eight OF the Dallas Boston fiers from
Chicago to Milwaukee. who found at
an altitude OF 1 900 feet a strong wind
from the south which assisted them
In making the night Of eighty miles in
forty minutes. while Colonel q. G..
Brant In his night from Washington
I o New York In eighty-four minutes
found the strong wind for the south
at an elevation Of 5000 feet.
Major THEODORE e. McCaulay In his
eastward hight across the unit
tSouthern. route 2,31I miles Ii ~
hours and Is minutes hytng time).
was constantly advised ~ I weather
conditions over the route Of night.
which enable him 70 - arrange his
movements that mQet satisfactory and
complete records 81 the flight were
coast 10 coast Aeriai route Which viii
ssqsire vssy littte ccsrHetien. 4 my.