AVIATION CONTEST.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 641, 19 October 1909, Page 7

AVIATION CONTEST.

AT DONCASTER. DELAGRANGE AND SOMMER FLYING. • ACCIDENT TO MR. CODT. (By Tcleeraph.-Press AKociation.-Copyright.) ■_~ ~'■■' London, October 17. Tho weather was fine yesterday for the Doncaster aviation trials, which commenced in the .presence of a great crowd. "• , M. Ddagrange, aboard a Blorict monoplane, covered five miles and a half in 11J minutes. M. Roger Sommer, on a Farman bi-plaae, did the distance in tho same time. Great enthusiasm was displayed on the appoararice of Mr. S. F..Codjv After successful trial ilightsi-'the wheels of his bi-plano caught on the ground whilo the machine was turning a corner, and the aeroplane overturned ;■ . Mr. Cody was cut about tho head, but his injuries ore not serious, and ho hopes to fly on Tuesday. . ■ ; "A BORN BIRD.MAN." ;■ Mi Som'mor is a native of the French Ardennes and a ■felt manufacturer by business. -. Ho has always been locally famous for his interest in sport, and was one of tho first cyclist sprinters m Hie Ardennes, •winning prizes oh. the' old .type of bicycle. Afterwards ho. took to motorcycling, and later to motoring, and won many local prizes. .'. . ' 1 About twelve months ago ho began to inter.tetnimsd'. in aviation, and set quietly to work to build an'aeroplane of his own. On August 1 he. Hew continuously for one hour fifty minutes, and a littlo later ho remained in the nir for two hours twenty-seven-minutes fifteen seconds, which was then a record. M. Sommer possesses extraordinary; coolness and audacity. Mr. laraan describes him as "a born birdman." ;.:.'■■ /■..■■■ ' 1 ■■•■■■' Like other aeroplahists, M. Sommer has Mα accident. In August he fell 25ft. and smashed his machine. Contrary to expectations, he did nothing notable at Rheims. ;. ■ WIND MIGHTIER. THAN WINGS. . ■! ■: ,\''. SOMMER COVERS. 3i MILES. ; • ; ;.■'■; ■■' : ■■ London, October 18. ; The aviators at Doncaster are using the St. Leger course. Between 50,000 and 100,000 Bpectators attended. ' ■. ...'.:.■. : ' When Mr. Cody's aeroplane overturned, 11. .Delagrango ; jumped to: his seat and■■• monoplaned to assist The' Frenchmen conrider Cody's -biplane, too: big. :', ■ ; ; The wind blow generally at (he ■ rato of' 15 miles an hour.y.'lt,then increased'to 25 miles an honr, : causing n suspension of the flying. : M. Sommer, made 'the longest flight, covering' 9J. miles.' ' Ho'. also: carried a, passonger. for 'a iehort distance. :-..:.:".' ."■ "'. , .•;