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^[[Petaluma Republic 5/13]]

[[box]] A Classified Ad. in The Republic is an example of something placed where it will do the most good. [[/box]]

EIGHT PAGES

BIG CROWD SEES AVIATION FLIGHT AT FAIR GROUNDS

Performance Given by Fred J. Wiseman This Afternoon Under Commercial Club Auspices Excites Interest.

ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS IDEAL, DECLARES AVIATOR

Big Machine Trundled Out on Track and First Flight made at 2:45 – Race With Auto on Program.

Starting the motor of his aeroplane, and waiting until the loud, gatling-gun reports of the explosions merged into a steady hum as the propeller gained speed, before giving the word to "Let go!" Fred J. Wiseman rose into the air at the south end of the grandstand at the state fair grounds about 2:45 o'clock this afternoon in the first aviation flight in North Yakima.

The aviator rose about 40 feet in the air and soared for about 200 yards down the track, and then descended to readjust a part of the mechanism before continuing his flight.

500-Pound Pull.

Before attempting the flight, Wiseman tested out the aeroplane by attaching ropes to the rudder, to a big spring scale and to a stout post. The machine was set going and as the propeller blades began to get action the scale indicator began to move up, showing the number of pounds pull on the rope. The tension rose to 500 pounds before the engine was shut off.

Race With Auto on Program.

One of the events of the afternoon program is a 5-mile race between Wiseman in his aeroplane and Fred Chandler of the Yakima Auto & Supply Co. in an Overland 30 geared to 4 to 1.

A crowd of several hundred occupied the grand stand when the flights began.

Was Ready at Noon.

With his biplane set up and his engine tuned to the atmosphere at North Yakima's altitude, Mr. Wiseman was ready this afternoon for his exhibition flight and people began to read the state fair grounds soon after noon.

The machine was fully set up in one of the buildings yesterday and the engine was tested. This morning it was partially dismantled again to get it out of the door, and was again put together and trundled to the track, where the rise was made.

"The weather this afternoon, after the rain yesterday and the slight sprinkle this morning, makes the atmospheric conditions ideal for flying," said Mr. Wiseman just before his flight. "The air is heavier, on account of its humidity, after a rain, and offers a better resistance to the planes. Besides, the rain equalizes the temperature, so that there are no rising currents of hot air that are likely to lift one wing and turn the machine over in the air.

"It is hard to say just how much of a flight I shall make. Of course, my agreement with the Commercial club here is that I make a flight at least 20 minutes long, but if I find conditions are good I shall stay in the air much longer than that. Every time an aviator rises he adds to his experience and ability. Practice counts just as much in this work as in any other."

"Big Noise" Tomorrow.

It is expected that tomorrow's crowd will be much larger than that of today, and the committee of the Commercial club in charge of the event will not be surprised if three or four thousand people pay admission in the afternoon.

In recognition of the fact that pleasure seekers tomorrow afternoon will nearly all want to see the aviation flight at the fair grounds, the management of Sumach park has announced that Crawford's band will play at the fair grounds, instead of at the park, and that, while the usual amusements will be in progress at the park, no admission fee will be charged at the gate.
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