Evening star., 1932-04-03

well. during the night was aided by SIX
searchlights supplied by the saith Coast Arhl-
lery Anti-Aircraft of Fort Shafter. Honolulu.
1t was not necessary TO use more than two OF
the lights at the same time, but an entire
battery was in readiness If needed.
"The rain made flight more difficult than
auy other factor If rain cloud moves In you
lust have to 90 some place else. That isn't
always easy especially when the wind is strong
and glsty The rain did not obscure the w1no-
shield because the boys rubbed raw potato ON
it before 1 took off. This is good TIP Ior
motorists
IT was worried about the ship being water
logged and several times I had difncuty in
directing the searchlights I turned pylon
and went half way along the cliffs once and
found myself In complete darkness Inc
searchlight was still on the pylon, 30 signaled
with a fashhght and they swung the hgnt un-
der me I thought the fellows IN charge OF the
searcblipbts were going 10 sleep on the job.
but found out later that the navigating lights
on the glider went out.
"At times the wind was 30 strong that Whes
I wished to lose altitude stalled the glider IN
stead of diving 1t in order to prevent any uh-
due strsin on the structure.
Early in the flight, when l almost toucheo
the sides OF the cliffs, the sight of I'll leaf
folded over the forward edge of the ripper OF
the glider worried me, IS feared had actually
touched the cliffs and that my glider might pe
damaged. As time wore on and the gnoer
continued to function perfectly, my fears on
this score passed away I found out later that
KAN a native Hawaiian, who was boss OF the
roadwork at the glider airport, had fastened the
til leaf in the center section Of the glider but
that it blew out and was carried on the TAIL
Throughout the fight. Kan said that the
til leaf brings luck, for when HawaiianS
wished To illustrate endurance or e0nstancy.
thev used the expression. AS long the II
leaf clings to the Pail. The III leaf is quite
thick in texture measuring about two feet IN
length and about four inches at its widest
point In the oiden days the natives used 1t
in much the same way that corn Is used
nowadays In the production Of strong drink"
How do you like flying glider IN comparison
to an afrplane?" -.
"Glfder flying Is more uncertain" answered
Lieut. Cooke You don't have a motor TO pun
you out of trouble. It's your skill against ths
elements"
well. Lieutenant" said the head ranger.
you've certainly given as an interesting story.
You had better spend the night with u.s. and
tomorrow morning well drive YOU TO Visalia so
that you can board the train for Frisco"
Thank you. gentlemen. hope can catch
an early train I am worried about Lieut.
Hoffman and If Crissy Field hasn't heard frofs
him I am anxious to get into one of the planes
to help search for him"
And so the next day, Lieut.. Cooke who has
ndQ nf0re Llan his snare duVcIItutcS
flyer considering the short time he serves
with the Army Air Corps, reached his home
station and reported to his commanding
officer. who took immediate steps to conduct
wide search by air for Lieut. Hoffman.
Lieut.. Cooke, who Is but % years Of age, Is
a native OF San Antonio, Tex. He attendes
the University of Texas, and manifested .
keen interest in aeronautics at all times.
making number of models OF airplanes upon
which he had applications for patents
Succeeding his ambition to receive an appoint
ment as flying cadet in the Army Air Corps.
he successfully completed year of intensive
flying instruction, and graduated from the
Advanced Flying School, Kelly Field, Texas, on
February Is, 1890 Immediately thereafter. hs
was commissioned q second lieutenant in the
Air Corps Reserve and placed ON extended
active duty with station in Hawaii.
Congratulated fer his outstanding achieve.
ment in glider flying, Maj Gen. BFiant H, Wells,
commanding the Hawaiian department., stated
in letter 10 Lieut.. Cooke: In making these
records, you have not only brought new honorS
to the Territory of Hawaii, but to the Army in
general and to the Air Corps In particular.
and your comrades are only proud Of your
extraordinary achievement"
Note-At this 1DrtfiBs LieHt: Hoffman has
not been found although many Army planes
HdDe been searching the locality pheye it b
easctLote5 he had crashed