WORLD'S FLYING RECORD.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9369, 11 February 1909, Page 6

WORLD'S FLYING RECORD.

“The Plying Man.” the name by which Mr Wilbur Wright has come* to be known, has just accomplished a feat which completely eclipses all his previous performances. At Le Mans, in Franca, the scene of bis previous success, he competed for the Miobelin prize, and actually travelled nearly miles in lb. 53m. 59 3-ss. By this magnificent flight he has not only beaten all the world’s aeroplane records, but has also considerably increased his advantage towards securing the Michelin prize for the best performance made before midnight on December 31st, The prizes which M. Michelin offered to the Aero Club of Prance in the spring were ah objet d’art of a miniumnm value of £4OO, a money prize of £6OO, and a special prized of £4OOO, Wright’s previous best was miles in lb. 31m. 2 3-55., and was accomplished at Le Mans on September 2st. The aeroplanist on this occasion came down to earth after circling 451 times round the course. A keen, biting wind was blowing when the aeroplanist entered his machine, and it continued during the whole of the flight. The officials on the earth shivered in their heavy top-coats. “Most probably,” said one of r .them, “ whilst we'are getting pneumonia down here, the extraordinary,Wright above is whistling blithely as usual.” No doubt he was. At all events, he could not have suffered from cold, for he kept his under perfect control. When at last the aeroplane lightly touched the ground, and Mr Wright stepped ‘out, he said he could have made a flight of three and a-half hours, but that the stopcock of the oil reservoir suddenly closed, thus cutting off the supply; “and besides,” he added, “I wanted to be home for lunch.” “You look c01d,.” said the officials;: “were you not cold op there” “Not a bit; and I was not wrapped up in a fur coat.” Having said this, Wright began to whistle again. After lunch Mr Wright - again ascended, and succeeded in winning the prize of £4O offered by the Aero Club of the Barthe for the first, aeroplane flight of 830 ft. in height. A balloon was sentnp to the required height, and Mr Wright, after 10. minutes’ circling, sailed over it.