THE NEW CLIDER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 12, 27 December 1911, Page 5

THE NEW CLIDER.

MYSTERY OK A STABILISING

VANE

With the aid of a large stabilising vane fixed to tlie front of his aeroplane, Mr. Orville Wright *ncceo.led >n October 27 in performing another of Jiis series of spectacular motor-less flights. Neither Mr. Wright nor his assistants will deny or affirm that the vane is the simple stabilising device he recently announced . it was, however, evident to all the spectators that it contributed marvellously to the steadiness of the aeroplane. Altogether Mr. Wright made forty glides. At the commencement of each flight a vertical shield feet long and 12 inches wide was pushed forward a few inches in front of the machine. Kinaily it was advanced to its full extent, G feet beyond the front of the edges of the lifting surfaces, and this position steadied the aeroplane so that it flew with an even keel, despite the gusty whirlwind eddies that swept from the ocean.

The “New York American” correspondent describes this flight as follows An unsteady twenty-five-mile wind was blowing when Mr. xklec Ogilivie, the Englisn airman and his assistant launched the frail craft, almost on the crest of a giant sand-dune. Mr. Or\ illc Wright m the seat, directed the glider into the air with amazing steadiness. Going from side to side like a Imge bird soaring, lie lifted the aeroplane gradually upward until it hovered motionless oyer the very top of the hill at a height of 70 feet.

“There, sharply outlined against the sky, it remained suspended in space with scarcely a quiver for 60 secs. Vicious currents of air struck it from the side assailed it from above and buffeted it back and front, but it hardly shook.” Gazing upwards like one entranced Mr. Ogilivie exclaimed: “This is the most marvellous exhibition of control the world has ever seen. There is not another man or machine that ever did that.” Leisurely Mr. Wright brought the glider to the ground with the same bird-like movement. It kept an even keel throughout the flight, which lasted 2min IGsecs.

The correspondents believe that the demonstration did not include all the features of Wrights’ stabilising device, which they predict will remove most of the nervous and physical strain from airmen using it.