Viewing page 6 of 45

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

MILLING, T. DEWITT, BRIG. GEN. USAF. - BLOG. FILE - FOLDER NO. 2 ITEM NO 5A

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
NATIONAL AIR MUSEUM

of the warping lever was hinged to [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] rock latterly, for operating the vertical rudder, which could be moved either in combustion with the warping or independently. [[crossed out]] In addition to this independent movement there was connected through a with the warped control so the rudder would move a sufficient distance to the turning tendency of the airplane when the wings are warped, to adjust for lateral equilibrium. [[/crossed out]] When the warping lever was pushed forward the right wing was warped down, the left wing up and the right wing was raised. The reversion occurred when the stick was pulled back. [[crossed out]] Undergoing this same routine was Lieut. Arnold, and Lt. John Rogers of the Navy(who later was to be lost in the Pacific and shortly after killed at Philadelphia).[[crossed out]] & [[/crossed out]] His cousin, Galbrath Roger,(who made the first continental flight in 46 days)and other civilian aspirants [[crossed out]] were also undergoing this routine [[/crossed out]] for the position of pilot with the Wright exhibition team. [[/crossed out]] The flying field was a level cow pasture about 8 miles east of town. It is now part of the AF Engineering Center at Wright Field. It was then known as Huffman Field after the owner of the farmer who had allowed the Wrights to use the field over the years for their experimental flights. [[crossed out]] Q [[/crossed out]] A wooden hanger was [[crossed out]] erecte [[/crossed out]] erected in one corner [[strikethrough]] of the field [[/strikethrough]] and the remainder of the field was suitable for landing or taking off except for a small swampy area at one side which it seemed we could not always avoid [[strikethrough]] keep from using. [[/strikethrough]]
	[[crossed out]] Flying instructions only took place when it was quite [[crossed out]] cl [[/crossed out]] calm - consequently, the flying was done in the early morning or late afternoon. [[/crossed out]] Finally, on May 2nd, I was given my first flight on an airplane not by Clifford Turpin, my instructor, but by Al Welch. On Saturday, May 6, I had my first lesson with Turpin and from the record which I still have I note I rode as passenger. The Wrights did not fly on Sunday so that my lessons were not resumed until Monday, May 8. From Monday to Friday I was given 15 flights of an average time of 8-1/2 minutes or a total time of 2 hours and one minute. I was then sent up alone for my first solo. Orville Wright was at the field that day and he was so much impressed at the rapidity with which I had learned and the fact that
5