 
The year 2009 promises to be interesting as the celebration
of the centenary of flight in Australia unfolds.
The following article has been received by the Division from
the Australian Gliding Museum.
CENTENARY OF FLIGHT IN AUSTRALIA
George Taylor is
credited with having made the first heavier-than-air flight in Australia on 2nd December 1909, in a glider,.from the sand dunes at Narrabeen
Beach, New South Wales.
About 100
spectators witnessed 29 flights starting with ropes attached to the wingtips and George
made the first flight without them. A number of other pilots flew including George’s
wife, Florence, who staked her claim
for an Australian aviation first. Another was Edward Hallstrom. He later became a noted
industrialist and philanthropist- being knighted for his efforts.
The Australian Gliding Museum is seeking
financial support to complete the construction of the three full size replicas that the
members are building for both display and flight to commemorate the centenary of
controlled flight in this country.
The Taylor glider had a fabric covered, wire braced
biplane wing with a span of 28 feet/8.5m, and a chord of 4 feet 6 inches/1.4m, a box kite
tail and an empty weight of 103 pounds/46.7kg. Control was by weight shift of the pilot.
Detail drawings
have been provided by David Craddock. He has published a chronology of Australian designed
gliders, sailplanes and human powered aircraft in four volumes along with two volumes
covering the contributions of Lawrence Hargrave to the science of aeronautics. The first
replica will be available for display at the 2009 Avalon Airshow to give the Australian
public a rare exhibit which will supplement and put into context the other gliders on
display. The glider will then be part of the
Museum’s collection of over thirty gliders. Another will be offered to other museums
such as the Narromine Hall of Aviation. The third will be flown under the guidance of
Rohan Holtkamp using his unique moving platform.
The Australian Gliding Museum is an
incorporated non-profit association and an institutional member of Museums Australia. All
donations are tax deductible in Australia. Estimated costs for materials and workshop facilities for construction of
the three gliders are between $8,000 and $10,000 per machine.
Donations can be sent to Graeme Barton, Secretary, Australian Gliding Museum, 2 Bicton St., Mount Waverley Victoria 3149 Australia. Email: g.f.barton@bigpond.com
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