FLYING WITHOUT AN ENGINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14853, 2 December 1911, Page 2 (Supplement)

FLYING WITHOUT AN ENGINE.

AT REST IN THE AIR-

MR. 0. WRIGHT'S FEAT.

In his new improved glider Mr. Omlle Wright recently performed the unique feat of remaining motionless in the air, at the height of 125 ft, for a space of five seconds. The new machine is an aeroplane without propellors, and is the outcome of Mr. Wright's effort to perfect a device to apply power to movable wings in imitation of the flight of birds. The experiments which the inventor, with the assistance of Mr. Alexander Ogilvie, of London, and his brother, Mr. Lorin Wright, is conducting above the sand dunes near Kill Devil Hill life-saving station, North Carolina, are being Matched the utmost interest, Before ho had the misfortune to fall and smash the biplane Mr. Wright twice brought himself to a complete standstill high in the air. The new biplane, which differs from its predecessors more particularly in its elevating apparatus, is not fitted with an engine. Mr. Orvillo Wright seated at the levers, the glider was carried to the top of -a sandhill 90ft high. A 25-mile wind was blowing. Mr. Ogilvie and Mr. Lorin Wright grasped the poles near the front of the machine and started to run.

At a signal from Mr. Orville Wright they released their hold of the biplane and it soared 125 ft into the air. Mr. Orvillo Wright worked the levers to and fro. Then, whilo Mr. Ogilvie's watch ticked five seconds, the biplane remained in a fixed position. It then started forward again and alighted as gently as a bird on the ground after a flight of one minute 15 seconds.

"A world's record!" exclaimed Mr. Ogilvie triumphantly. Two more glides were made, the. machine remaining in the air, despite a gusty wind, for 20 and 30 seconds respectively. At his fourth attempt Mr. Wright duplicated his first performance, keeping the biplane in a fixed position. The fifth glide ended iii an accident. The biplane shot upwards 60ft, and then fell 30ft, seemingly performing a. somersault. 'Mr. Wright succeeded in righting the planes about 14ft above the ground, but the machine descended with a crash to the ground, the inventor being hurled from his seat- He turned a double somersault, but rose instantly uninjured and rushed back to examine the broken wings of the biplane. " I am perfectly satisfied." he said, "that the flights have demonstrated beyond doubt that I can hold the biplane in a fixed position for a considerable time. There are, however, some defects in the machine, which I can speedily remedy.