Viewing page 8 of 101

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Form 99-4M-5-54

CITY OF LOS ANGELES
[[Image:  Seal of City of Los Angeles]]
RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Brookins-Lahm-Wright Aeronautical Foundation, Inc., is arranging for the celebration from June 1, 1954 to January 1, 1955, of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the first dirigible-airship flight in America, which was flown by Roy Knabenshue, a resident of California; and

WHEREAS, the flight was made in St. Louis on October 25, 1904, and resulted in a great forward trend in the field of aeronautics, from ballooning to controlled powered airship flights: and

WHEREAS, Roy Knabenshue, the first American to pilot a dirigible airship, subsequently flew over such principal cities as New York, Indianapolis, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and on Christmas Day in 1904 made the first dirigible airship flight, starting from the old Chutes Park in Los Angeles, which resulted in the longest successful flight ever attained in America, a distance of fifteen miles with and against the wind; and

WHEREAS, the first night flight in America was made from the old Chutes Park on December 17, 1908, the fifth anniversary of powered airplane flight; and

WHEREAS in 1909, Roy Knabenshue turned his attention to heavier than air modes of travel and became the first Wright Brothers' exhibition manager touring the country with the famous team of aviators composed of Walter Brookins, first civilian pilot instructor in America, taught to fly by Orville Wright, Arch Hoxsey, Ralph Johnstone, Phil Parmalee, Duval La Chapelle and Frank Coffynd; and

WHEREAS, by his great courage and example Roy Knabenshue caused many persons throughout the world to adopt aviation as their future;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this City Council does hereby go on record as commending the Brookins-Lahm-Wright Aeronautical foundation and its president, James N. Gillette, for their zeal, foresight and effort in planning this celebration in honor of Roy Knabenshue for his great contribution to aviation and to the air history of Los Angeles and the nation.

BY
ERNEST E. DEBS
Councilman - 13th District

SECONDED:

May 27, 1954