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NEW YORK's DOG AVIATOR

[[image Monoplane and Jerwan ]] [[image Monoplane and Jerwan]]

"MONOPLANE," READY FOR A FLIGHT.

"MONOPLANE" THE AVIATING BULL DOG AND HIS MASTER AVIATOR S.S. JERWAN OF GARDEN CITY. L.I.

PROBABLY the only dog to fly in an aeroplane and wag his tail to tell the story is Monoplane, a bulldog belonging to Aviator S.S. Jerwan of Garden City, L.I. Monoplane in his short career has made more than forty flights, which even an aviator will tell you is a good record.  

Monoplane is a year and a half old, and began his career as flying dog in the spring of 1912, when he was sent to Garden city for a summer's outing. Everybody at the time predicted the dog would soon be sausage, for he spent all his time with his master watching the flights. Sometimes his master would be at the aviation field as early as 4 o'clock in the morning, but always Monoplane was along. 

Became an Aviation "Bug." 
From the first Monoplane developed a liking for aviation, and always was sure to be in the trail of any aeroplane when being taken from the hanger to the field. When the motor was started he intuitively got behind the machine, but always facing it, and he was never known to get near a propeller when in motion. 
If by any chance a machine was started while Monoplane was not on hand the noise of the motor would bring him running like a race horse to the line. 
He soon got to be pet and mascot not only for the school with which he was connected, but for the biplane aviators as well.  He has been a true mascot, too, for it has been noticed that no serious accidents have occurred when he has been on the field. He makes friendly quickly with aviators, and always is able to identify them by smelling their shoes, which are sure to show traces of gasoline or castor oil, which is used as a lubricator in the aeroplanes.  That is the only password he needed for friendship.

Rides in a Hammock.
When it was finally decided to make an aviator of Monoplane the question of a proper suit and seat was of great importance. A hammock arrangement finally was placed behind the regular aviator's seat and Monoplane was tied in this for his first lesson in "grace cutting," which is the aviator's way of describing the lessons taken on the ground. Then he was taken for short flights.
At first he was a little frightened, but he soon became accustomed to the rush of wind and noise of the motor, and now he begs for joy rides in the air and shows keen disappointment if not included in his master's trips. He will wait on the ground for his master and is as competent to judge where the machine will land as any human-more so than those not accustomed to flying.
Monoplane has a helmet and goggles from Paris, and numbers among his other accomplishments to ability to smoke a pipe and cigar.

CHIEF PILOT JERWAN HAS MADE TWO SENSATIONAL FLIGHTS THE PAST WEEK

Mr. s. S. Jerwan, the chief pilot of the Moisant Aviation School, made the return flight from Ropers, S. C., where a few days ago he landed after nightfall, carrying the Augusta Chronicle to several points in the Savannah Valley, the first aeroplane delivery of newspapers in the South.
Mr. Jerwan's flight to Ropers, and his return flight were probably the most sensational that have been made at Augusta, and the aviator escaped accident in both instances by the barest chance.
In making the first flight Mr. Jerwan left the field a short while before sunset. He was caught in a stiff breeze, and the machine traveling faster than he though, he went beyond his original destination, Stevens Creek, and was lost several miles above the city of Savannah Valley. He flew probably thirty niles beyond Stevens Creek, when he discovered he had overflown his destination, and commenced the return flight.
In the meantime the shadows of night were falling and the ground could be distinguished only with great difficulty. After flying a considerable distance Mr. Jerman sighted the settlement at Stevens Creek. It was so dark, however, he could not distinguish the landing arranged. He dropped a bundle of papers and continued the flight. Again he was lost and could not tell the direction. After circling several minutes in the near-darkness he sighted a small settlement, and deeming it unsafe to proceed further determined to land in a field, that from his altitude, and in the darkness, looked as if it would afford a suitable landing.
He descended to the field, and when within only a few feet of it saw his mistake. It had recently been plowed. He could not go up again, however, and had to land. The wheels sank deep in the soft earth, and the machine was very nearly wrecked.
Friday, Mr. Jerman undertook the return flight. He started from the field in which he had landed, a most difficult start, and attempted several times before he was successful in getting away.
On this flight, as on the first, Mr. Jerwan carried The Chronicle. He flew low over Stevens Creek, and for the second time delivered the paper to the settlement.
He then flew back to the aviation field to a safe landing.
In returning Mr. Jerwan encountered a dense fog and had no idea of his whereabouts until he found himself flying above the Hampton Terrace Hotel. After crossing the river the fog had dissipated, and he was enabled to see the field and make a safe landing.

Feb 23/13

PRESIDENT CABRERA TO ENTER AERO CLUB

Guatemala's Head Seeks to Advance Aviation There with America's Co-operation.

Manuel Estrada Cabrera, president of the Republic of Guatemala, is greatly interested in the progress of aviation, which he is endeavoring to advance in his own country. Seeking co-operation and assistance in his aims in the United States, he has decided, on the advice of Shakir S. Jerwan, of this city, to unite with the Aero Club of America, the governing body in aeronautic sport in this country. A letter just received by Mr. Jerwan from Señor Cabrera in response to one recently written tells of the decision of the Guatemalan chief executive and authorizes the presentation of his name to the Aero Club. It is probable that later an aero club will be formed in Guatemala under the rules of the International Aeronautic Federation.
Mr. Jerwan was the tutor in aviation of Lieutenant Dante Nannini, of the Guatemalan army, who spent last summer at Hempstead Plains under the orders of the Guatemalan government, learning to fly the monoplane at the Moisant school. Lieutenant Nannini, after passing the required tests, received a pilot's license from the Aero Club in November last. President Cabrera was so well pleased with the proficiency shown by the young officer on his return to Guatemala that he engaged the services of C. Murvin Wood, another Moisant aviator, who last year made a notable cross country flight from this city nearly to Washington. Wood recently went to Guatemala under contract to aid in establishing an aviation corps for the army.