The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-06-29

ne would nave good weather all the
way and with the information from
the weather bureau that he might
expect to strike rain and fog, with
possibly adverse winds off New
Foundland. 1t. was believed, how
ever, that, while these conditions
would slow up the journey, they
would not prove serious danger.
A Dramatic Start
The takcoff was dramatic in it's
start. Instead OF merely running
down the incline the plane was in
fact catapulted on it's way.
The tail Of the plane was tied
down to the runway With rope, and
when all was ready for a take off
the engines were started and the
plane strained with all its might
against this restraining bond.
Then Ross Gardiner, one Of the
mechanics who had helped prepare
the plane for its flight, slashed the
rope, and the sudden release fairly
hurled the monoplane down the in
cline.
1t was said by this method as much
speed was gained on the hundred
achieved by travelling 1000 feet on
the field.
The America started on it's journey
against headwinnd but it was so
light as hardly to stir tie flag atop
the hangar.
Speed Not Important
Byrd stressed repeatedly through
out the long wait to start that speed
was not of prime Importance, as he
was not trying for any prize nor try
inr IN ,hnct rnrnrd
"Lindbergh was an cntrant for the
Orteig prize" he said. "And Cham
berlin and Levine were trying for a
distance record. But this flight is
for purely scientific conditions and
it would he foolish to lessen our
chances of. finding out what we want
to know by rushing away to hur-
ried start"
Byrd hopes to learn many facts
concerning the general rules by
which it is believed winds over the
ocean are governed for the use Of
future transoceanic aviators.
Despite his repeated assertions
that he was in no hurry. however,
it was generally believed that Byrd
left when he did today at least partly
because he felt he was losing pres
tige. 1t became known that he was
receivin" in recent days many sarcas-
tic letters and kilograms concerning
the delays Of his flight and it was
thought these might have carried
enough weight with him to tip the
balance in favor of a take off when
the weather became fairly favorable.
Trip Measures 1857 Miles
The America will follow magnetic
course lO8" most of the way to Paris.
making a journey of 1857 miles or
~ miles longer than the great. circle
course, with which it almost coin
cides.
The distances: /,
From here to New Foundland 1,143
miles, from Newfoundland to Bray
head, 1900 miles, making total of
3O43 miles from Roosevelt Field to
Grayhead. From Brayhcad to Paris,
the distance is 594 miles.
Future Plans UnannOunccd
Commander Byrd left without any
further information concerning his
plans after reaching Paris. It has
been variously rumored that he in
tends to fly back, that he will con-
tinuc around the world, and that he
will fly to several other countries
after landing at lie Bourget Field.
Byrd has repeatedly declined to
confirm these reports, saying that
any decision concerning flights in the
America must come from Rodman
Wanamaker, financial hacker of the
flight. Wanamaker himself has re-
fused to divulge what his plans for
the America are after Byrd lands at
Paris.