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  In that brief instant when he was entirely deprived of oxygen, he stooped forward, lost consciousness and fell. 
  These aerial explorers, these contenders for the "icicle crown" (as the altitude record is sometimes called) would undoubtedly fly higher if their planes and motors would function at greater height. But, until engineers are able to perfect more powerful motors and more efficient superchargers feeding the compressed air necessary to engine combustion, airplanes can go no higher.
  Like the pilot, the airplane motor requires oxygen to operate. Engines built to perform efficiently at sea level will not do so in the upper reaches of thin air, unless given air artificially -much as the pilot is given oxygen. Even with compressed air supplied to the motor, the propeller will not "pull" efficiently when the atmosphere has reached a certain degree of rarification. At this point the lifting of the wings is decreased, the plane stalls through the air and its "ceiling" or altitude limit has been achieved. 
THE VIEW FROM ABOVE
  At seven or eight miles above the earth , the view from an airplane is of unusual interest. On a clear, cold day when rain or snow has "washed"  
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the lower air strata, many hundred of square miles can be seen by the observer high above the world. Cities and towns appear as black dots or dark smudges; great rivers look like fine silver threads; roads and highways are invisible. Above, the air seems unusually clear, the sky exceptionally blue and the sun very bright.
  But, at that great altitude the pilot does not dare admire the view very long, for his senses are not functioning normally and, if his attention is distracted from the business of flying, a great effort of will is needed to again concentrate on his task.
TWENTY MILES UP
  Beyond the eight-mile altitude point reached by Captain Gray, our knowledge of atmospheric conditions in the upper air is obtained through the use of "sounding" and "pilot" balloons. At present the U. S. Weather Bureau maintains forty-three stations where regular balloon observations are made and "soundings" taken through the use of automatic recording instruments. These observations indicate that while the temperature continues to drop up to a height of about 35,000 feet, beyond this altitude it gets no colder. In fact it may be found slightly warmer as we go higher. 
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  An interesting observation is the fact that regardless of how stormy may be the atmosphere at earth level, between 15,000 feet and 30,000 feet altitude the air is calm. Above the 30,000-foot level, terrific winds are frequently found. There is still need for an intensive study of these upper wind currents, for they may be a great air or a great drawback to long-distance flying.
  There are many theories regarding wind direction in the higher altitudes compared with wind direction and velocity at lower levels. But very little is actually known of the air currents above 30,000 feet. It is quite possible, as some have suggested, that at fixed heights in the upper air, there may be winds blowing permanently in a fixed direction and at a constant velocity all year round. When we have a full knowledge of these upper winds and can climb to these altitudes, we shall be able to avoid rain, snow and for and fly with favoring wind.
  But before we can investigate actual flying conditions above the present altitude record, we shall have to await the development of new aircraft which will enable pilots to challenge further the great Unknown of aviation-the upper air.
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Did you ever see a grayheaded aviator?
Back in 1912 air boosters and patriots were elated over the fact that the war department planned to have "at least 50 planes by 1913!"
In November, 1912, Capt. Robert A. Bartlett, of the Peary North Pole party, said at a banquet that the safest and easiest way to get to the North Pole would be to fly there."