THE RIGHT TO FLY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 473, 3 April 1909, Page 11

THE RIGHT TO FLY.

The most important, international aero conference ever held began its sittings recently ??, , Hotel, London, with Prince 7/!? i m.. ,^ parte M P resident > says the 1 " .l if e u 'Delegates appointed by the aero clubs of Britain, tho United States, France, bermany, and other European countries met to discuss questions bearing upon tho future ot tho art, science, law, and business of flvmg.y Mr. Roger Wallace, ,K.C., who presided ati;the> last international conference, is one of the British delegates, and' voiced the opinions.of the American Aero Club. He made an interesting statement on the rules of the air, and forecasted the speedy enactmont of an international law which will eive everyone 'tho right to fly.' 'At present,' said • f co ' /1 ye common law no one has a . right to ny across occupied land Tho world is still governed by the ancient Roman law, usquo ad ccelum (up to tho skies). That was framed, of course, m days when no one could anticipate the present conquest of the air ,and it must-be amended. It means that every landowner has a right to the air abovo .his land as far up as lie choosos to go, and can got an injunction to restrain anyone flying across.it. So far, no one has attempted to put tho law, in force. When a man is flying across your land it is too late to got an injunction. After ho has flown it is 110 use unless he lias dono damage which can be assessed. But it may-happen that a land-' owner adjoining the practice ground or starting.point of aero flights wifl-objcct to tho uso'of tho air abovo his land. Ho could then get an injunction under tho present law.'"