[From Manx Quarterly, #21, 1920]

FLYING AT DOUGLAS.

SUCCESSFUL INAUGURATION.

Civilian flying was auspiciously inauguarated at Douglas during the latter part of July 1919. -Messrs A. V. Roe and Co. Ltd, have by their enterprise placed the Manx holiday resort on an equal footing with Blackpool so far as facilities for pleasure flight are concerned, and everything points to their venture being exceedingly popular and highly remunorative. So far, the firm have brought two biplanes of the famous " Avro " manufacture to the town, and it is the intention to strongly reinforce this nucleus of a fleet with other machines. The biplanes at present available have accommodation for a pilot and two passengers. They have passed the Air Board test, and will be pilated by a fully qualified and Government-certified aviator. Machines of similar make and type have proved a huge success at Blackpool this summer, the demand for " flips " by holiday-makers being in excess of the supply. There is reason for believing that like popularity will attend Messrs Roe's arrangements to afford visitors to Douglas an oportunity of making excursions by air, to judge by the big rush for flips which has taken place this week, realisation will attend upon expectation. A hangar, necessarily temporary of character has been constituted on the grass plat lying between the Central Promenade carriage way and the footway adjoining the beach, and here the biplanes are "stabled " al fresco for the time being. Flying actually takes place from an aerodrome laid out on the stretch of firm sand - a fine taking-off ground-almost to Castle Mona Hotel. A trial flight on E4360 took place on Monday evening. when Lieut. Moxon, the pilot, aviator who rendered distinguished military service in the air during the war, went up for a few minutes. He gave a fine exhibition of " stunt " flying, and though the flight had not been announced, it was witnessed by a large and very pleased crowd of spectators. The official inauguration came off on Tuesday, July 29^th, and as the function had been well announced, a great concourse of holiday-makers, some thousands in number, assembled on the sea front to witness the proceedings. Included among the spectators were several members and officials of the Douglas Town Council. By the way, the flights have been accorded the municipal imprimatur as expressed ill the sanction given by the Council to the use of municipal property for the housing of the aeroplanes and for the purposes of an aerodrome. Ideal flying conditions obtained when, shortly after 4 p.m., Lieut. Moxon took off from the sands-again on E4360--in connection with a preliminary flight. There was bright sunshine, a shy of cloudless blue, all atmosphere of delightful clarity, and an almost complete absence of wind. Lieut. Moxon quickly climbed to a height of about 1,500 feet, and then gave a display of stunt flying which trade the spectators fairly gasp out their admiration. The airman had perfect control over his biplane, and apparently his evolutions were not attended with any risk. On eight occasions he " looped the loop "-thrice in succession at one stage. Also he indulged in half-rolls, full rolls, " the falling leaf," and the spinning nose dive. Eventually, after a display lasting about quarter of an hour, he glided gracefully to terra firma, and was, on landing, greeted with round upon round of hearty cheers. Having thus tested his machine and proved his mettle, Lieut. Moxon proceeded to take up passengers. First he was accompanied in an air excursion by Alder-man John Kelly, J.P., the septuagenarian .Mayor of Douglas, and the Town Clerk of Douglas (Mr Alexander Robertson). Both gentlemen did their best to appear unconcerned as they donned the prescribed headgear and climbed up the ladder leading to their seats in the body of the car, and so valiantly did they bear themselves that their efforts were almost, though not quite, convincing. Prior to the starting on the flight, the Mayor congratulated Lieut. Moxon warmly upon this " stunt " flying, which he (the Mayor) described as " very fine." Lieut. Moxon modestly gave credit to the condition of the air, which, he said, " is very wonderful to-day." Engines were then started, and the biplane ran along the sands to gain the necessary impetus for taking off, the august passengers gaily waving their hands to the onlookers. After a run of about 70 yards, the biplane rose gracefully and gradually climbed to a 'height of almost one thousand feet. Out of consideration for the valuable lives in his charge, Lieut. Moxon prudently abstained from any stunts, contenting himself with a flight of about five minutes' duration over the bay and the suburbs of the town. On returning to earth, the Mayor and his fellow-passenger were loudly cheered.

The Mayor, who was smiles all over, delivered a brief speech to the people assembled in the neighbourhood of the biplane. He said: This is my first experience of flying, and I can assure you it is the most delightful experience I have had in all my lifetime (applause). It is well worth while taking a trip in this machine if it is only to ,tee re's native town of Douglas from it. The town appears much more beautiful from the air than I can give you any idea of. We asked the pilot to give us as quiet a flight as possible. He has done so, though I think I would have liked to have had just one turn over (laughter). I think the Avro Company are affording us all a great treat by coming here to give us this display of flying (applause). They intend to take visitors up, and I wish them every success. I am sure that flying in beautiful weather like this will give all who make an ascent very great pleasure (applause).

Councillor T. G. Kelly briefly welcomed the Mayor and Town Clerk on their safe return to the ground.

Lieut. Moxon said that, on behalf of Messrs A. V. Roe and Co., he would like to express appreciation of the kindly and almost touching way in which the Town Council and people of Douglas had received this inauguration of civilian flying in the Isle of Man. The company had come not merely for a day; they hoped to stay here for a year, and, indeed, for all time. All means of transport had had a small beginning. In the case of railways, they started with about a mile of line, and gradually attained to the big railway systems of the present. It would be the same with regard to flying. This was merely a start; but they hoped to prove by means of these machines that flying was capable of much bigger things in the future. He hoped to see machines built much larger than any in existence at present, and by means of which much more would be commercially possible. He again thanked everybody for the way in which the company had been received here (loud applause).

The Town Clerk: If you all enjoy flying as much as I have done, you will be all right.

The next passengers taken up by Lieut Moxon were Councillors T. G. Kelly and T. H. Cowin, who were, regaled with trip mound the bay and town. Succeeding them as passengers were Mrs Moxon, th pilot's wife, and Miss Rylance (Shakespeare Hotel). Those ladies were born to a considerable height, and Lieut-Moxon, when nearly 2,000 feet up indulged them with a half-roll. Subsequently Alderman and Mrs Gray were accommodated with a circuit of the bay and town by air, and later on many other members and officials of the Town Council were afforded a like treat-for treat the unanimously declared it was. A booking office was opened at the aerodrome, and immediately there was a great rush of people anxious to secure, at the price of one guinea per head, the necessary authority entitling them to a " flip." For two hours or so Lieut. Moxon was kept very busy in taking up these " flippers." Most of them were men, but a goodly number were ladies. Among these latter was the Mayoress of Douglas (Mrs John Kelly). The last Passengers of the day were Miss Florrie Forde, the variety star who is fulfilling an engagement at Derby Castle, and her husband. The popular comedienne had a very hearty reception from the crowd upon completing her trip, which she thoroughly enjoyed. It may be mentioned that Lieut. Moxon is not only a most accomplished pilot; he has with him a way which inspires the most timorous aspirants for flight with confidence. His pleasant smile and agreeable assurances, indeed would surely suffice to arrest the outflow of courage from Bob Acres' finger ends were that doughty squire to step out of the pages of Sheridan's comedy.

Since Tuesday, flying has proceeded as the tide has served-the aerodrome is covered by the sea at high water. Large numbers of people have availed themselves of the opportunity of engaging in aviation.

The proprietors of the " Daily News," the famous Liberal newspaper, have made arrangements for a number of readers of the journal being accorded free flights. Those people who desire to participate in chances of securing this experience of aviation gratis should cut the coupon out of the Newspaper, fill it in. and post it to the "Daily News " Office, Parade-st., Douglas. The free flights will continue for a fortnight. The selection for the flights will be made on Thursday next in the Palace Ballroom-thanks to the courtesy of Mr Chas. Fox, manager-by C.T. W. Hughes-Games, Chairman of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. During the first and second weeks in August the Avro Company are arranging to have one of the seaplanes now engaged on the service between Blackpool and Windermere to fly from Blackpool to Douglas each morning, returning to Blackpool in the evening. This is necessary, as are no suitable hangars for the machine in Douglas. The seaplane will carry passengers and mails, and copies of the "Daily News," so that it will be possible for readers of that journal to have their paper at breakfast time, instead of, as hitherto, at tea time.

FLYING EXPERIENCES.

By FRANK GALE.

"No! Not for a big clock !" Such was the answer I gave to a brother Councillor's query asking was I going to "go up" as we stood watching Lieut. Moxon gyrating in mid-air.

When however, the Mayor and the Town Clerk had successfully returned to Mother Earth, I was not so emphatic about the big clock

Mr Cuthbertson, standing beside me, asked, " Are you going up, Frank?" and, Manx-like, I answered his question by asking another: " Are you?"

" Yes, when I get a chance." " Then I'll go with you!"

When our turn came, we donned the helmet wand goggles, and scaled the ladder into our seats behind Lieut. Moxon. We were belted in with a broad steel-clasped leather belt. After travelling a few yards along the sand, we felt a gradual rise-something in feeling to that experienced on the open electric car ascending to the Bay Hotel. Up we went towards Onchan Head, and then steered seawards toward Douglas Head. I tried to descry the English coast, but was unsuccessful. Now -we are over the outward harbour, and one wondered if a late " Key's " scheme for a dock had suddenly materialised. Beneath us now is the power station on the Marine Dive, and immediately we turn and pass over the front of the town. Green and charming to the eye looks Villa Marina; and what a crowd is gazing up ward towards us! Next we imagine we are over Government House, and ere it can be said in wards we have passed the Playing Fields and now seem to be just hovering over Rose Mount Church, which appears from this vantage point for all the world like a. child's model in plasticine, correctly formed. Again -we are back over the show, and a sudden dip makes one realise that the body as well as the thoughts must came to earth again; and dawn-dawn-gradually we come, regretting that the experience is so quickly over, without any sea-sickness, or should we say air-sickness, feeling. Before leaving the machine, Lieut. Moxon very kindly autographed our souvenir cards, and, shaking hands and thanking him, we were soon replaced by others seeking to share our experiences.

The story of Palissy the Potter is not more romantic than that of A. V. Roe's early struggles in the science of aviation. It is a story of pluck, endurance, and triumph such as to provide delight for any adventurous youth.