The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-14


 of the largest in number of entries held in America.
 Plane Races
 During the week of May 29 a series of plane races will be con- ducted under the direction of the Aero club of Wisconsin, the aeron- autical section of the Wisconsin As sociation of Commerce. The organi zation reports promises from various aero clubs that they will send planes to the city to give the balloons a good send-off. and also promises from army officials that they will have a number of planes on hand Brig Gen. Mitchell will fly to Mill waukee from Washington. D. C., ac- companied by two other planes. Thirty or more planes are expected to be available for the demonstration including some from Chicago. Mon mouth. Ill, Detroit. Mich. Minne- apols, Minn., Dayton, o. and New York
 The balloon race will be for dis tance. and the pilots must choose the best wind currents at different alti- tudes and dispose of ballast and gas to the best advantage In order to land as far as possible from the starting point. This is said to in
 
 It has been estimated that the direc- tion of the wind at the time of year selected has averaged a northwestern ly course during the last forty years.
 Go Into Canada
 If this condition should prevail this year it would take the balloons far into Canada, and all the pilots will carry winter equipment. The races commonly run from 400 to 1.200 miles and last from eight to sixty hours. It is expected some of the balloons this year will be in the air four or five days. One balloon party in the national race last year was lost for days.
 The Milwaukee program calls for an inspection and visitors day on May 30. On this day there will be a series of aeroplane races around the city May 31 the balloons will start. The Aero Club of Wisconsin has stipulated that each pilot must carry as ballast 100000 circulars about Mill waukee and it's business interests to be released from time to time. It is announced that except for balloons and pilots everything in the race will be Milwaukee made; that pilots will use Milwaukee clothing and outfits, Milwaukee food and coffee, Milwau- hSC SatA dS paiidotb anu AullWduheS gas.
 Draw Upon Every Talent
 Spokesmen of the Aero Club of Wisconsin say that the race will draw on almost every talent the balloonist has; on his knowledge of navigation and meteorology, experi- ence in its application. ability to size up conditions. judgment in their interpretation. practical skill in handling the balloon, firmness in ad- herring to a good plan of action, but always with eye and mind open for a better. courage combined with eau ton. physical endurance and sports manship.
 In free-ballooning, meteorology is of prime importance. To meteor ology and it's newest branch. aero logy. the pilots of free balloons turn to solve the problems of the location and condition of their courses in the air; the racing balloonist seeks the factors of greatest speed and longest fetch of the winds of the lower lew els; the balloonist trying for desti- nation seeks the factors of direction, while the reconnaissance balloonist seeks the elements of quiet and safety. In the last five years the study of upper-air conditions has made such strides that today, without the intelligent use of the data there- by acquired. it is said no pilot how ever daring. lucky or enduring. can hope to remain in the front rank.