The program was so well organized and carried on that the flights followed rapidly without a break. There was scarcely a moment when an aeroplane was not aloft, and the interest never faltered. There were Scores of excellent straight-away flights of 200 feet or more, at various altitudes. Occasionally a model would fly wild, even refuse to rise, but the flights followed one another so continuously that a failure was quickly forgotten in the delight of watching the next flight.
The rapid development of the model aeroplane was shown particularly in the spectacular flights. The thrilling volplanes and daring aerial feats of the famous air pilots were imitated by the model aeroplanes. The models were made to dart about at unexpected angles, and, while keeping clear of the ground, perform many astonishing feats. The prize for these spectacular flights was won by Henry Ragot whose aeroplane actually looped the loop repeatedly, in obedience to skilful adjustment of the planes and weights.
In launching the model for this flight, the model was held well above the ground and launched at a sharp upward angle. It rose with astonishing speed, in a vertical line, fully twenty feet, when it turned and descended with accelerated speed. The crowd naturally expected a bad smash, but with a good clearance of the ground the model suddenly swept around in a narrow semicircle, rose and repeated the performance. It seemed to many spectators that the model was enjoying a miracle of good luck, but they were mistaken. The flight was repeated several times. Indoor aviation was an instantaneous success.
Unless well-thought-out rules are carefully observed, a public exhibition may fall into confusion, and be seriously marred. A large audience grows quickly impatient of delays between flights. There is, of course, the danger that the models will follow each other too quickly, perhaps collide in the air. The distance and spectacular flights again must be kept separate.
The rules followed by the New York Model Aero Club in these exhibitions worked well in practice. First of all, the floor was kept absolutely clear except for the director of the flights, who took up a position at the center. The distance flights started from one corner only, and the spectacular nights from the center of one side, the weight-lifting contest from another corner.
An official starter, a measurer, and an entry clerk are stationed at each point from which the flights are started. When a model was wound up ready for a flight, a starter waved a small flag to attract the attention of the director out on the floor. From his vantage point, the director could see if the floor was clear and signaled to the starter to go ahead. He blew a whistle by way of signal, one blast for the start of a weight-lifting contest, two for a distance flight, and three for a spectacular flight.
Instantly the whistle sounded, the model signaled was released without a moment's delay. In this way no two models were ever started at the same time, and all confusion was avoided. The whistle was clearly heard in all parts of the hall, and the audience quickly learned to recognize the signals and look to the point from which the start took place. In the distance flights the one flying the model and the measurer alone were allowed to go after the machine. This was done on the run. It is important that any delay be avoided in measuring, since this does not interest the public in the least, and may make the exhibition drag.
An interesting experiment in stability
