Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-22
AUTOG|RO LANDS
ON HOOVER'SL
Experiment Writes New Avia-
ton HiStory-PreSident
a Spectator.

Continued From First Page)
tinguiShed guests for his cool nerve
and the excellent performance of the
machine
The ability of the autogiro to land
under unfavorable circumstances, such as
those encountered at the White House
today. was one Of the factors which
won for Mr.. Pitcairn the Collier
Trophy, regarded as one of the highest
aeronautical awards in the United
States.
In presenting the trophy, Presiden'
Hoover clasSed the autogiro as "one of
the outstanding Improvements in
heavier than-air craft"
Its ability to arise and descend
with safety almost vertically" the Pres
ident said, makes it practical and
decided step forward"
Circles Downtown Washington.
Ray took of from Washington Hoover
Airport at IL o'clock and circled over
downtown Washington while photo
graphic planes circled overhead and
photographed various stages of his
flight and landing. Shortly after 1880,
as the President and members of his
CABINET appeared on the south lawn.
Ray dropped in at a sharp angle from
the north over the White House roof.
shift of the wind drove him to the
west OF the cleared lawn and he opened
the motor and pulled around for an
other attempt. On the second trial he
apparently was afraid of running down
the slope of the lawn into motion pic
ture trucks, and again pulled up. On
the third attempt he dropped directly
in over corner of the White House
roof, striking the ground for a perfect
-nnif1f
IN front Of the President. He turned
the ship around and TAXED up in front
OF the crowd. President Hoover was the
nrst man TO reach the plane. He
reached up and grasped Rays hand,
smiling broadly and congratulating him
heartily.
The award was made "for their de-
Velopment and application Of the auto
giro and the demonstration of its posi-
bilities with view to its use for safe
aerial transport" it was announced by
Senator Bingham.
Mr.. Pitcairn brought the first auto
giro to the United States in 1928. He
mas been interested in this reyolu-
tionary type of aircraft since its inven-
ton in Spain by Juan de la Cierva.
He first witnessed an autogiro flight in
Madrid in 1925 and became convinced
it could be made of real value to
During the last three years Mr.. Pit
cairn and his co-workers have made
many Improvements in the windmill
plane"
The autogiro, In the opinion of the
committee on the award, is the most
revolutionary development in heavier
than-air craft since the first flights of
the Wright brothers in 1903
The President seemed deeply inter-
foI IT,
pilot number of questions as to the
method of operation and possible uses
of the craft.
Following the presentation ceremony,
Ray climbed back into the machine,
warmed up the motor, and TAXED down
the slope from the south portico of the
White House for his take-of. He held
the plane on the ground until within
100 yards of the Photographic trucks
grouped near the fountain, and then
pulled it up abruptly into a sharp,
climbing turn to the west which car
ried him out of the Presidents sight
behind the trees in the White House
grounds. When he reappeared a min
ute later he was nearly 1000 feet high,
and still climbing rapidly.
Sees Great Future.
at is our firm conviction" Mr.. Pit
cairn said, that the continued de-
velopment Of the autogiro will lead to
the general adoption by the public Of
flying for both utility and pleasure"
The presentation ceremonies were
opened by Senator Hiram Bingham,
president of the National Aeronautic
Association, which has charge of the
awarding Of the trophy. Among those
witnessing the ceremony were chiefs
of Army, Navy and Department Of Com.
merce aeronautical activities, aeronau-
tical attaches of foreign governments,
former holders of the Collier Trophy
and leaders of American civil aero
nauticS.
From the White House, Mr.. Pitcairn
went to the Willard Hotel as the guest
of the Aero Club of washington. a
ISOLATION of the National Aeronautic As.
ISOLATION, at luncheon in his honor.
Ray was expected to attend after land
ing at Washington Hoover Airport.