The Bismarck tribune., 1928-11-17
COLOMBIA ACE
WILL ATTEMPT
1864 MILE HOP
First Flight of $50 Miles Down
Eastern SeabOard to Be
Made Without Stop
PROCLAIMED AS HERO
Flies Machine Especially Built
by Colombian Republic
Government

New York, Nov. 17.-(AP)-
Lieut.. Benjamin Mcndez, youthful
Colombian flier who came to the
United States four years ago to
learn to fly, is ready for a triumph
ant return 70 his home republic by
air.
No flight since Lindbergh's Latin
American tour has fired the inter-
est of Colombian air enthusiasts so
much as the projected 4,S53-mile
hydroplane flight Of the South
American republics native son.
Colombian newspapers are already
hailing young Mendez as the re-
public's "Lindbcrgh," and hero's
welcome awaits him at Bogota, his
home.
Although now commissioned as
a lieutenant in the Colombian air
service, Mendez came to the United
States in April, 1924, when he be-
came restless over the limited oppor-
tunities to learn to fly in his home
land. His long flight, which is to be
made in five hops, will carry him
back to his Colombian friends and
relatives for the first time since he
set out for the United States to be-
come a pilot.
Leaves Today
Lieutenant Mendez plans to hop
off from New York, weather per-
mitting, today, on the first leg of
the flight which will carry him along
the Atlantic seaboard to Jackson
vile, Fla, a distance of $50 miles
without stop. The second stop lies
775 miles south Of Havana, Cuba,
with the third leg over an 500 mile
stretch to Puerto Barrios. Panama,
the fourth station, is 978 miles from
Puerto Barrios, with the last lap of
the long flight 1,15O-mile jump to
Bogota, Colombia.
With the utmost confidence in his
Curtiss Falcon hydroplane, especial
~ built for him at the expense Of
the Colombian republic. Lieutenant
Mendez hopes to complete his home
ward journey in 40 hours of actual
flying. The trip may be extended
over more than weeks time, de-
pending upon weather conditions.
Safety Big Item
1T is not the shortest route which
might map out for return by air
over a water route, but it is the
safest" the youthful flier says. 1T
may, ! hope, show the way to the es-
tablishment of a direct transport
route from New York to Bogota that
would join the two republics more
closely. Safety is the most import
ant factor IN the development of
regular air routes, and although it
would be more spectacular to try it
nonstop, the flight might not be SO
valuable"
His plane, christened the "Ri-
caurte," in memory of the great Co.
lombian hero, is similar in design to
the army falcons which Lieutenant
Mendez became accustomed to fly
,ng. in the United States air service.
1t has been equipped with pontoons,
however, making possible water
landings and providing space for an
additional supply Of 165 gallons of
gasoline.
Trained In U. S.
Powered with D-12 motor, the
plane is capable of flying $50 miles
an hour with a light load and be-
tween 14O and 145 miles an holr
with full load. Because the plane
IS exceptionally fast Lieutenant
Mendez hopes to make the 4,653
mile trip in less than 40 hours.
Five sisters, two brothers and
his father will wait the homecom-
ing Of young Mendez, who left them
almost five years ago to become a
flier. He entered the United States
army flying school at San Antonio.
Tex, in April, 1924, and a year later
was given his "wings." After two
years in the United States he was
recognized by his home government,
and arrangements were made with
the state department to permit him
to visit the important army and
navy air centers ir the United
States.