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1913    31

SUSPENSE SOON OVER

Once the aeroplane passed over the field at about the height decided upon and Miss Broadwick did not drop. Then, after a wide circle to the north, the aeroplane was seen to slacken for an instant and at the same time the little figure dropped. Almost instantly the big tri-colored umbrella unfolded and the suspense was over.

To make the first experiment a special seat was arranged just below the lower plane and to the left of the driver for the passenger. It was a trap seat with a lever which the passenger could operate.

One pressure of the lever released a safety device. Miss Broadwick then held her own weight as long as her hand was upon the lever. When she let go the seat swung out from beneath her and she dropped.

The silk parachute was neatly folded in a carrying case strapped just behind her back. As she fall it was pulled from the case and kept free from the framework of the biplane. Once clear it opened readily.

The demonstration took place at about six o'clock in the evening. Miss Broadwick, who is but eighteen years old, spent the time while the machine was being made ready in capering about with a fox terrier and was the least concerned among those present.

When the aeroplane was ready she took her seat. Her daintily stockinged and slippered feet hung out "over nothing at all," as she expressed it. As she passed her friends on the first loop, she waved her hand gayly.

"SAFEGUARD," SAYS MARTIN

Her father had carefully superinteded the folding and arranging of the parachut by which she was to return. The tiny cords by which it was attached to the swing were so small as to be invisible from the ground. They were about as thick as a good-sized parlor match. The entire device could be tucked under one arm and was about the size of a knapsack.

Martin believes that his aerial "life preserver" will prove an important factor in the safety of flying. He says it will always offer protection to the passenger and while the majority of accidents which prove fatal to aviators are due to other causes than the failure of the plane. It will be a safeguard to aviators going to high altitudes if anything should go wrong with the machine.

Another important use he believes it will have is in military operations, enabling the aviator to drop a scout or messenger without landing.

All of these features he regards as of so much importance that he will continue to improve and perfect the device, even suggesting some slight changes in the driving seat on an aeroplane so that it may be more generally utilized.

BY MISS TINY BROADWICK

I simply adore flying. Of course, I felt that it was more or less of an experiment to be the first woman to drop from an aeroplane in a parachute, but it worked out fine.

As I sat there on the little perch that was arranged for me, I thought it would be perfectly grand to go on flying as long as Mr.Martin stayed up. I don't mind dropping in the least because I have done it so many times. But I did wonder if everything would get clear of the plane all right. 

The thrill of dropping is all over in a hurry. You just pull the lever and -- swish -- you are off for the ground. It's easy enough falling through the air, and then you feel the first pull of the ropes above you. That's all you want. Then you begin to float slowly toward the ground.

Tiny Broadwick later gave a demonstration of the use of the parachute to the Army aviators on North Island, San Diego, but it was many years before the air services adopted it as standard equipment.