For exploration in other regions, the balloon or the aeroplane is sure to be employed. Rapidity of progress without fatigue or danger will replace the floundering through swamps, shivering with ague, and bickering with hostile natives now associated with tropical and other expeditions. The stereoscopic camera with its scientific adjuncts will permit of almost automatic map-making, more comprehensive and accurate than any now attempted in other than the most settled sections. It is not too much to expect that arrangements will be perfected for conducting complete topographical surveys without more than occasional descents. If extremely high altitudes must be attained—over a mile—the machines will be of special design; but as far as can now be anticipated, there will be no insurmountable difficulties. The virgin peaks of Ruwenzori and the Himalayas may become easily accessible—even to women and children if they desire it. We may obtain direct evidence as to the contested ascent of Mt. McKinley. A report has been current that a Blériot monoplane has been purchased for use in the inspection of construction work for an oil pipe line across the Persian desert; the aeroplane being regarded as “more expeditious and effectual” than an automobile.
The flying machine is the only land vehicle which requires no “permanent way.” Trains must have rails, bicycles and automobiles must have good roads. Even the pedestrian gets along better on a path. The ships of the air and the sea demand no improvement of the fluids in which they float. To carry mails, parcels, persons, and even light freight—these applications, if made commercially practicable tomorrow, [4] would surprise no one; their possibility has already been amply demonstrated. With the dirigible as the transatlantic liner and the aeroplane as the naphtha launch of the air, the whole range of applications is commanded. Hangars and landing stages—the latter perhaps on the roofs of buildings, revolutionizing our domestic architecture—may spring up as rapidly as garages have done. And the aeroplane is potentially (with the exception of the motorcycle) the cheapest of self-propelled vehicles.
Governments have already considered the possibilities of aerial smuggling. Perhaps our custom-house officers will soon have to watch a fence instead of a line: to barricade in two dimensions instead of one. They will need to be provided with United States Revenue aeroplanes. But how are aerial frontiers to be marked? And does a nation own the air above it, or is this, like the high seas, “by natural right, common to all”? Can a flying-machine blockade-runner above the three-mile height claim extraterritoriality?
The flying machine is no longer the delusion of the “crank,” because it has developed a great industry. A now antiquated statement put the capitalization of aeroplane manufactories in France at a million dollars, and the development expenditure to date at six millions. There are dozens of builders, in New York City alone, of monoplanes, biplanes, gliders, and models. A permanent exhibition of air craft is just being inaugurated. We have now even an aeronautic “trust,” since the million-dollar capitalization of the Maxim, Blériot, Grahame-White firm.
According to the New York Sun, over $500,000 has been subscribed for aviation prizes in 1911. The most valuable prizes are for new records in cross-country flights. The Paris Journal has offered $70,000 for the best speed in a circling race from Paris to Berlin, Brussels, London, and back to Paris—1500 miles. Supplementary prizes from other sources have increased the total stake in this race to $100,000. A purse of $50,000 is offered by the London Daily Mail for the “Circuit of Britain” race, from London up the east coast to Edinburgh, across to Glasgow, and home by way of the west coast, Exeter, and the Isle of Wight; a thousand miles, to be completed in two weeks, beginning July 22, with descents only at predetermined points. This contest will be open (at an entrance fee of $500) to any licensee of the International Federation. A German circuit, from Berlin to Bremen, Magdeburg, Düsseldorf, Aix-la-Chapelle, Dresden, and back to the starting point, is proposed by the Zeitung am Mittag of Berlin, a prize of $25,000 having been offered. In this country, a comparatively small prize has been established for a run from San Francisco to New York, via Chicago. Besides a meet at Bridgeport, May 18-20, together with those to be held by several of the colleges and the ones at Bennings and Chicago, there will be, it is still hoped, a national tournament at Belmont Park at the end of the same month. Here probably a dozen aviators will contest in qualification for the international meet in England, to which three American representatives should be sent as competitors for the championship trophy now held by Mr. Grahame-White. It is anticipated that the chances in the international races favor the French aviators, some of whom—in particular, Leblanc—have been making sensational records at Pau. Flights between aviation fields in different cities are the leading feature in the American program for the year. A trip is proposed from Washington to Belmont Park, via Atlantic City, the New Jersey coast, and lower New York bay. The distance is 250 miles and the time will probably be less than that of the best passenger trains between Washington and New York. If held, this race will probably take place late in May. It is wisely concluded that the advancement of aviation depends upon cross-country runs under good control and at reasonable speeds and heights rather than upon exhibition flights in enclosures. It is to be hoped that commercial interests will not be sufficiently powerful to hinder this development.
We shall of course have the usual international championship balloon race, preceded by elimination contests. From present indications Omaha is likely to be chosen as the point of departure.
The need for scientific study of aerial problems is recognized. The sum of $350,000 has been offered the University of Paris to found an aeronautic institute. In Germany, the university at Göttingen has for years maintained an aerodynamic laboratory. Lord Rayleigh, in England, is at the head of a committee of ten eminent scientists and engineers which has, under the authority of Parliament, prepared a program of necessary theoretical and experimental investigations in aerostatics and aerodynamics. Our American colleges have organized student aviation societies and in some of them systematic instruction is given in the principles underlying the art. A permanent aeronautic laboratory, to be located at Washington, D.C., is being promoted.
Aviation as a sport is under the control of the International Aeronautic Federation, having its headquarters at Paris. Bodies like the Royal Aero Club of England and the Aero Club of America are subsidiaries to the Federation. In addition, we have in this country other clubs, like the Aeronautic Society, the United States Aeronautical Reserve, etc. The National Council of the Aero Clubs of America is a sort of supreme court for all of these, having control of meets and contests; but it has no affiliation with the International body, which is represented here by the Aero Club of America. The Canadian Auto and Aero Club supervises aviation in the Dominion.
Aviation has developed new legal problems: problems of liability for accidents to others; the matter of supervision of airship operators. Bills to license and regulate air craft have been introduced in at least two state legislatures.
Schools for instruction in flying as an art or sport are being promoted. It is understood that the Wright firm is prepared to organize classes of about a dozen men, supplying an aeroplane for their instruction. Each man pays a small fee, which is remitted should he afterward purchase a machine. Mr. Grahame-White, at Pau, in the south of France, conducts a school of aviation, and the arrangements are now being duplicated in England. Instruction is given on Blériot monoplanes and Farman biplanes, at a cost of a hundred guineas for either. The pupil is coached until he can make a three-mile flight; meanwhile, he is held partially responsible for damage and is required to take out a “third-party” insurance policy.