THE FLIGHT OF THE SILVER DART Introduction

On February 23, 2009, Canada Others involved themselves in aircraft Focus celebrated 100 years of aviation history. design, manufacture, and testing. Still This News in Review story commemorates On that date in 1909 a biplane (two- others helped develop Canada’s fi rst one of the signifi cant winged aircraft) called the Silver Dart national airline, Trans-Canada Airlines, events in Canadian was towed by horses onto a frozen lake now known as Air Canada. history: the fi rst near , Nova Scotia. A young In the 21st century, Canada continues to powered fl ight. During engineer named Douglas McCurdy sat be an important centre for the aerospace the following century, on a plank at the airplane’s primitive industry. One Canadian company, that breakthrough controls. Before a crowd of cheering Bombardier, is currently the third-largest helped to bring Canadians together watchers, McCurdy piloted the plane manufacturer of civilian aircraft in the and to transform this on a short fl ight of slightly more than a world. As well, the aerospace industry country, which has kilometre. Canada had entered the age of has made enormous contributions to the the second-largest powered fl ight, and Canadians embraced exploration of space. One contribution, landmass in the world. it with enthusiasm. the Canadarm, is a prominent part of This story looks at the A country the size of Canada is exactly every space shuttle mission. Several men responsible for the kind of place where powered fl ight Canadian astronauts have played the initial triumph of the Silver Dart, and could fl ourish. In both peace and war, important roles in some of those those who planned Canada has had an illustrious history missions. its commemoration in in the air. Canadian pilots played Thus, it seemed very appropriate when 2009. It also follows central roles in both World Wars, and Aerial Experiment Association 2005, the the story of Canadian pilots and air crews from across the group that built a replica of the Silver fl ight through its fi rst Commonwealth received their training Dart, chose astronaut Bjarni Tryggvason 100 years. here. Flight training for NATO and allied as the pilot for the 100th anniversary forces continues in Canada to this day. fl ight. A man who had fl own on the Further Research Canadian airmen returning from the fastest and most sophisticated fl ying To learn more about First World War drove the peacetime machine ever developed would now pilot Canada’s astronauts, development of the civilian air industry one of the slowest and most primitive. consider a visit to in Canada. Some became the fi rst Because of adverse weather the Canadian Space transporters of airmail. Others became conditions, the anniversary fl ight actually Agency’s offi cial Web site at www.space. the bush pilots who opened services took place a day early, on February gc.ca. to isolated areas of the country. Some 22. Nevertheless, it was an enormous became the surveyors and mappers of success and a glorious reminder of areas of Canada rarely visited before. Canada’s aviation history.

Pre-Viewing Activity Have you ever seriously considered what life in Canada would be like without travel by air? Air travel has had an enormous impact on all of us, even if we rarely or never get on a plane. After all, planes carry plenty of things besides people.

Take a few minutes before you watch the video and make a list of some of the ways in which your life would be different if airplanes did not exist. There might be favourite foods that you would never get to eat, or activities that wouldn’t take place, or friends or family that you might never get to see. The number of ways in which air travel has an impact on your lifestyle may surprise you.

CBC News in Review • April 2009 • Page 43 THE FLIGHT OF THE SILVER DART Video Review

As you watch the video, answer the questions in the spaces provided.

1. What famous Canadian airplane was used by bush pilots to open the

Canadian interior? ______

2. Where in Canada is the village of Baddeck located? ______

3. What is the name of the famous inventor who lived in Baddeck?

4. What type of equipment did Bell use for his fi rst aviation experiments?

5. Who fi nanced ’s aviation work and recruited some of his assistants?

6. What name did Bell’s group of developers call themselves?

7. Where were the AEA’s fi rst airplanes built and fl own?

8. What is the reason that Douglas McCurdy believes Bell wanted to fl y one of his airplanes in Baddeck?

9. How long did the fl ight of the Silver Dart last? ______

10. In 1959 a group tried to recreate the fl ight of the Silver Dart. How did the re-creation go?

11. How many attempts did it take in 2009 at Baddeck to get the Silver Dart

airborne? ______

12. What is the name of the Canadian company that is the world’s third-largest

manufacturer of civilian aircraft? ______

13. A Canadian airplane, not built for over 20 years, is about to make a

comeback. What is that plane called? ______

CBC News in Review • April 2009 • Page 44 THE FLIGHT OF THE SILVER DART History of the Silver Dart

Baddeck, Nova Scotia, is a small Canadian to pilot an airplane. Their Further Research community in the heart of Cape Breton second plane, the June Bug, won the A 1949 interview with J.A.D. McCurdy Island. Baddeck is now best known as a second annual Aero Club trophy. is available from resort community, the centre of access For Canadians, however, the Silver the CBC Archives to the beautiful Bras d’Or lakes. It was Dart will always be Bell’s greatest at archives.cbc.ca/ already a well-known resort in 1909 airplane. Bell, born a Scot who later science_technology/ when the lake became the runway for became an American, loved his British aeronautics/clips/2424/. Canada’s fi rst powered aircraft fl ight. roots and his Canadian home in Cape YouTube (www. Baddeck was the Canadian home of Breton. Determined to fl y an aircraft in youtube.com) has clips from the anniversary one of the world’s greatest inventors, British airspace, he shipped the AEA’s fl ight, along with Alexander Graham Bell. Already famous latest creation to Baddeck for its fi rst other associated items as the inventor of the telephone, Bell had fl ight. (search for “Silver become interested in the possibility of That aircraft was the Silver Dart, Dart”). human fl ight. the plane that made the fi rst heavier- Bell’s initial experiments involved than-air fl ight in Canada, on February Quote giant kites. His kite designs were 23, 1909. Piloted by J. A. Douglas “It feels great. I’ve featured in Scientifi c American, then McCurdy (soon to become Canada’s fl own the fastest (as now) a leading popular scientifi c fi rst licensed pilot), the Silver Dart fl ew thing in the world. magazine. Bell continued working on his about 1.2 kilometres, rising nine metres I’ve fl own the slowest kites until 1907. The last one—a huge above the frozen lake. Its speed was 65 thing in the world. I’ve fl own the newest contraption called Cygnet—actually fl ew, kilometres per hour. thing, I’ve fl own the with a passenger, 51 metres above Bras The Silver Dart went on to set oldest thing.” – Bjarni d’Or Lake. It was not self-powered but records and win prizes. On March 10, Tryggvason, Hamilton was pulled behind a steam launch. 1909—less than a month after its fi rst Spectator, February 7, However, the successful fl ight of fl ight—the plane won another trophy 2009 the ’ airplane in 1903 as the fi rst plane in North America to changed the way in which inventors fl y a mile (1.6 kilometres). Piloted by looked at human fl ight. The Wright McCurdy, the Silver Dart fl ew not just brothers’ fl ight was unique in that it one mile, but 20 miles (32 kilometres). was powered, controlled, and sustained: It later became the fi rst plane to carry a powered by an engine, controlled by a passenger as well as a pilot. pilot, and sustained for a distance. The Silver Dart was eventually Encouraged—and fi nanced—by his destroyed in an accident, when wife, Mabel, Bell founded the Aerial McCurdy crash-landed after Experiment Association (AEA) in demonstrating the plane to offi cers of October 1907. This brought together the Canadian Army. a group of Canadian and American engineers who would compete for an 100 Years Later annual trophy awarded by the Aero Club In 2005, a group of 25 aviation of America to the inventors of heavier- fans founded the Aerial Experiment than-air fl ying machines. Association 2005. Their objective Working in the United States, the was to build a replica of the Silver AEA was soon successful in its airplane Dart and fl y it at Baddeck on the 100th design. Their fi rst aircraft, the Red Wing, anniversary of the fi rst fl ight: February made its pilot, Casey Baldwin, the fi rst 23, 2009.

CBC News in Review • April 2009 • Page 45 The group, based in Welland, Ontario, fl ight that permitted the engineers to Fascinating Facts found six sponsors and raised $35 000 tweak the plane’s performance before The replica’s specifi cations include: to build the plane, as near a replica as the actual centennial fl ight. The plane’s • Weight: 500 modern materials and safety measures builders did not want a repeat of the kilograms would allow. For example, the “balloon 1959 commemoration, when the replica • Wingspan: 14.7 cloth” used on the original, which gave crashed on landing. metres the plane its silver colour and its name, This time it was the weather that • Height: 3 metres was replaced with nylon. Dirt-bike refused to co-operate. With the forecast • Length: 10 metres wheels were used for the landing gear. threatening blizzard conditions for • Engine: 65 Safety requirements meant that brakes February 23, Tryggvason successfully— horsepower V-8 (the and rudder pedals needed to be installed. on his second attempt—took to the air on original was about A proper seat for the pilot was also the 22nd. The plane made a total of four 45 horsepower V-8 added. For the fi rst fl ight, McCurdy sat successful fl ights. It was a wise move; on a wooden plank. The 2009 version the weather did force the cancellation of weighed about 113 kilograms more than the commemoration on the 23rd. the original plane. It took 6 000 hours of The replica of the Silver Dart is volunteer labour to build. expected to have a permanent home at This time the designated pilot was the innovation centre at the Alexander Canadian astronaut Bjarni Tryggvason. Graham Bell National Historic Site He fi rst fl ew the fi nished plane at the (www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/grahambell/ airport in Hamilton, Ontario—a test index_e.asp) in Baddeck. Inquiry 1. Name the two planes that preceded the Silver Dart at Baddeck.

2. What happened later to the Silver Dart?

3. Who fl ew the re-creation of the McCurdy fl ight of 1909?

CBC News in Review • April 2009 • Page 46 THE FLIGHT OF THE SILVER DART J.A.D. McCurdy

John Alexander Douglas McCurdy (who Earth while in fl ight (1910): “Another Further Research usually went by the name Douglas) is chapter in aerial achievement is A fascinating illustrated McCurdy one of the most important pioneers of recorded in the sending of this wireless archive is available Canadian aviation. His accomplishments message from an aeroplane in fl ight.” online at www.gov. went far beyond his being the fi rst person • The fi rst pilot to fl y a fi gure eight. ns.ca/nsarm/virtual/ to pilot an airplane in Canada. • The fi rst pilot to fl y a fl ying boat (a mccurdy/results. Douglas McCurdy was born in plane designed to take off and land on asp?Search=. Baddeck, Nova Scotia, on August 2, water). 1886. His father was a newspaper editor • The world biplane speed record (1910). Fascinating Fact who was acquainted with Alexander • The fi rst fl ight over the ocean, from How Bell and Graham Bell. Bell befriended young Key West, Florida, to Havana, Cuba McCurdy’s father met Douglas, who often visited the Bell (1911). His plane crashed at sea less is an interesting story. estate and helped with some of Bell’s than 20 kilometres from its destination. Evidently Bell dropped experiments with kites. He fl ew 145 kilometres in less than two by the newspaper offi ce while the McCurdy was educated in Toronto at hours. senior McCurdy St. Andrews College and the University Because of vision problems, McCurdy was trying to fi x his of Toronto, graduating with a degree in piloted a plane for the last time in 1916. offi ce telephone. Bell mining engineering. But his fi rst love But while he himself was not fl ying, he offered to repair it. was aeronautics, and in 1907 he was made it possible for hundreds of others Once he had done so, back in Baddeck with Bell. There he to do so. In 1915, with the support of he introduced himself became one of the members of the Aerial the British government, he opened the to McCurdy—as the telephone’s inventor! Experimental Association (AEA), the Curtiss Aviation School. It trained more group that went on to design several than 600 pilots to fl y in the First World successful aircraft, including the Silver War for the Royal Air Force (Canada did Dart. not get its own air force until 1922).

The Pilot The Businessman McCurdy quickly became the main pilot After retiring as a pilot, McCurdy for the AEA as they designed and built managed Curtiss Aeroplanes and Motors new aircraft. By the time of the Silver Ltd., a company that built two-seater Dart’s fi rst fl ight in 1909, McCurdy had training planes. In 1928 he created already made at least 200 short fl ights his own company, Reed Aircraft. This at the AEA’s U.S. location. The success company eventually merged to form of the Silver Dart made him a Canadian Curtiss-Reed Aircraft Ltd. McCurdy was hero. Future accomplishments made him its president until the beginning of the even more famous. These included: Second World War. • The fi rst fl ight longer than a mile (1.6 During the war McCurdy was in kilometres). This was a 20-mile (32 Ottawa as the Assistant Director General kilometre) round trip in the Silver Dart of the Aircraft Production Board, made less than a month after the fi rst Department of Munitions and Supply. Canadian fl ight. As such, he oversaw most of Canada’s • The fi rst licensed Canadian pilot aircraft production during the war. (1910). After the war, McCurdy became • The fi rst pilot to transmit by wireless to president of another airplane company,

CBC News in Review • April 2009 • Page 47 Montreal Aircraft Industries Ltd. In 1947 As well, the Canadian Aeronautics and he was appointed Lieutenant Governor Space Institute (CASI – www.casi.ca) of Nova Scotia, the province where he gave him the McKee Trophy, their most had made his most famous fl ight. prestigious award, for his outstanding Douglas McCurdy received many achievements in aerospace. CASI had awards during his lifetime. Two of the already created a McCurdy Award most important awards were presented in (1953), which it continues to present 1959, the 50th anniversary of the fl ight of for outstanding achievement in the the Silver Dart. The Minister of Defence art, science and engineering related to gave him the honorary rank of Air aeronautics and space research. Commodore in the Royal Canadian Air Douglas McCurdy died on June 25, Force, recognizing his outstanding 50- 1961. He was buried at Baddeck. year contribution to Canadian aviation. To Consider In your view, what was Douglas McCurdy’s most important contribution to aviation in Canada? Why?

CBC News in Review • April 2009 • Page 48 THE FLIGHT OF THE SILVER DART Baddeck’s Great Inventor

Alexander Graham Bell is remembered • The audiometer, used to measure Quote by most people as the inventor of the hearing ability. The unit of measuring “The inventor is a man who looks around telephone. The patent for the telephone, sound and electric signals was named upon the world and however, was only one of 30 patents the decibel in his honour. is not contented with that Bell received during a lifetime of • The , a machine that things as they are. inventing. It was certainly his most recorded and played sound using He wants to improve profi table invention, fi nancing much of reusable wax cylinders. Bell always whatever he sees, he his other research. wished he had devoted more attention wants to benefi t the to phonographic devices. But it was world; he is haunted by an idea. The The Breakthrough Thomas Edison who developed the fi rst spirit of invention Bell’s fi rst invention was made at the phonograph. possesses him, seeking age of 11 in his native . When • The fi nancing of a laboratory in materialization.” a friend’s father suggested that he fi nd Washington, D.C., to promote research — Alexander Graham something useful to do instead of just and invention to benefi t the deaf. Bell, quoted in the hanging around the local mill, he did. • A metal detector that used sound Dictionary of Canadian waves to detect a bullet in the body. He Biography (DCB), He developed a process to remove the online at www. husks from grain, using wire brushes developed this in hopes of saving the biographi.ca/009004- on rotating paddles placed in an already life of U.S. President James Garfi eld, 119.01-e.php?&id_nb existing machine. who was shot by an assassin. Garfi eld r=7894&interval=25& Bell’s family moved to Brantford, died, but the invention is recognized as &PHPSESSID=en1itee8 Ontario, in 1871. Bell was soon dividing an early type of ultrasound. tvrmoueehpq1ra3rp5. his time between Brantford and Boston, • A vacuum jacket that acted as an early The DCB is the source for much of the Massachusetts. By 1872 he had opened form of iron lung to assist breathing. information in this his own school for the deaf in Boston. Bell invented this after the death of his article. Bell always saw himself fi rst, by son from respiratory failure. profession, as a teacher of the deaf. He • The presidency of the National was an expert in speech physiology and Geographic Society, from its founding Defi nition specialized in teaching the deaf how to in 1888 until 1903. Bell was always A patent is a form speak. interested in geographical exploration. of copyright that gives the owner of At the same time, Bell was fascinated His interest in photography led directly an invention control with the idea of transmitting sound— to the establishment of the ever-popular over its use. Patents especially speech—over wires. As early National Geographic magazine. are usually granted by as 1874 he had developed the method Beginning in 1885, Bell divided his government agencies. that he would use for the telephone. time between Washington and Baddeck, He fi led for a patent two years later. Nova Scotia, where he built himself This fi rst telephone patent is believed a large estate. Here he conducted to be the most valuable patent in the genetic research and experimented with history of invention. It meant fi nancial eugenics—selective breeding—with independence for Bell, so that he could sheep. Bell is credited, in his genetic devote his attention to his many interests. research on deafness, with producing the most useful study of human heredity Other Inventions in the 19th century. At Baddeck he also Bell’s subsequent inventions and performed some of Canada’s earliest research activities include: experiments with x-rays.

CBC News in Review • April 2009 • Page 49 In 1881 Bell began his experiments 114.04 kilometres per hour—a record with fl ight. Over the next 31 years he and that would not be broken until 1929. his fellow enthusiasts conducted more Bell was also a visionary. In a 1917 than 1 200 fl ight-related experiments. scientifi c paper he predicted that burning Most of these, especially the kite fossil fuels would lead to a “sort of experiments, took place at Baddeck. The greenhouse effect” and global warming fl ight of the Silver Dart was only one of if the burning continued unchecked. those many experiments. Bell died on August 2, 1922. During By 1912, Bell had moved on to a new his funeral, the was briefl y enthusiasm: the , developed for shut down, and every phone in North rapid travel over water. In 1919, one of America was silent. He was buried in Bell’s set a world record of Baddeck, on a hill, overlooking the bay. Analysis In your view, what was Alexander Graham Bell’s greatest achievement? Why?

CBC News in Review • April 2009 • Page 50 THE FLIGHT OF THE SILVER DART Timeline: Canadian Aviation

Canada’s century of aviation history has Less than three weeks later, on July 9, Further Research been a proud one, with many outstanding Katherine Stinson becomes the fi rst Much more inclusive timelines are available achievements. Here is a very selective woman to deliver airmail on a fl ight in online at www.canad list of 11, taken from only the fi rst 50 Western Canada. (For more information iancentennialoffl ight. years of powered fl ight in Canada. on the fi rst airmail fl ight, see www. ca/en/history.php, and mysteriesofcanada.com/Canada/fi rst_ www.canadian 1909 The Silver Dart fl ies Canada’s fi rst airmail_fl ight.htm.) geographic.ca/ powered heavier-than-air fl ight. Magazine/so00/ 1919 On June 14, the fi rst successful aviation_history.asp. A timeline of Canadian 1915 The Curtiss JN-3 aircraft is the direct trans-Atlantic fl ight leaves St. military air history is fi rst production plane to be built in John’s, Newfoundland, for Cliften, available at Canada. It became the standard trainer . The pilots were two British www.airforce.forces. for the Royal Naval Air Service in the airmen, John Alcock and Arthur Whitten gc.ca/site/hist/origin_ First World War. In total, 104 were Brown, fl ying a Vickers Vimy bomber. e.asp. built, 18 of them in Canada at a Toronto The 3 040 kilometre fl ight takes 16 factory. It was the forerunner of the hours and 27 minutes. The plane crashes JN-4 “Jenny,” the fi rst mass-produced on landing, but the men are uninjured. plane and one of the most popular of all Alcock and Brown won a large prize that time. (For more information on the JN- had been offered for the fi rst fl ight by the 3, see www.canadiancentennialoffl ight. Daily Mail newspaper. They were also ca/en/canadasAircraftLegacy_CurtissJN- soon knighted by King George V. (For 3.php.) more information on Alcock and Brown, see www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/ 1918 Canada becomes a centre of Alcock_and_Brown.) aviation activity when 22 000 Canadian pilots and air support crew return from 1920-1924 Recognizing the after the First World War. Canada contribution of Canadians to the air made a huge contribution to the war war in the First World War, Canada effort in every area of aviation, even establishes its own Canadian Air Force. though it had no air force of its own. One King George V names it the Royal of the greatest fi ghter aces of the war, Canadian Air Force in 1924. (For more Billy Bishop, was Canadian. (For more information on the beginnings of the Air information on Canada’s war effort, see Force, see www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/ www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/site/hist/ww_ site/hist/inter_war_e.asp.) 1_e.asp.) 1928 Eileen Vollick becomes the fi rst 1918 Captain Brian Peck, a war pilot, woman in Canada to receive a private makes the fi rst offi cial airmail run in pilot’s licence. Vollick was born in Canadian history, from Montreal to Wiarton, Ontario, and trained to fl y in Toronto. He carried 120 letters with Hamilton. She was so short that she special stamps marked “Inaugural had to sit on pillows to see out of the Service via aerial mail – Montreal windows of her trainer. But she proved 23.6.18.” But, because of a rainstorm, to be an accomplished pilot who fl ew he didn’t actually fl y until June 24. in both Canada and the United States.

CBC News in Review • April 2009 • Page 51 (For Vollick’s personal recounting of her 1949 The Canadian Avro C-102 fl ying experiences, see becomes the second commercial www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ passenger jetliner to fl y (the fi rst, a ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1145293&auth=E British de Havilland Comet, beats it ILEEN M. VOLLICK.) by only two weeks). The plane is built under contract from the government, but 1937 The Canadian government creates never goes into production. The project Trans-Canada Airlines (as a subsidiary is cancelled so that the company can of Canadian National Railway!). The concentrate on producing CF-100 fi ghter company is intended to provide air planes. (For more on Avro’s aircraft, service to all regions of Canada and has see www.canadiancentennialoffl ight. two passenger aircraft and a biplane for ca/airforce/hist/history_Avro_Canada_ surveying new routes. Its fi rst regular e.php.) service from Vancouver to Montreal begins on April 1, 1939. Trans-Canada 1952 Jan Zurakowski, chief test pilot is renamed Air Canada in 1965. (For for Avro, breaks the sound barrier for a fi rst-person oral account of the fi rst the fi rst time in Canada. Engineers Vancouver to Ottawa fl ight on Trans- had told Zurakowski that his CF-100 Canada, see http://archives.cbc.ca/ probably could not withstand the forces lifestyle/travel/clips/8671/.) generated by supersonic speed. He puts the plane into a dive and aims it at the 1940-1945 During the Second World building where the company’s engineers War, Canada becomes the home of the are discussing that very prospect. British Commonwealth Air Training The resulting sonic boom settles the Program. Over 131 500 students are argument. (For more on Zurakowski, trained here from Canada, Britain, see www.geocities.com/buckeyepa/ Australia, and New Zealand; JZurakowski.html.) 50 000 of them are pilots. (For more information on the program see www. lancastermuseum.ca/bcatp.html.)

Follow-up There are many highlights in the second half of Canada’s century of fl ight. Using the suggested timeline Web sites—and any other sources you discover—make a list of fi ve events or developments between 1960 and 2009 that you feel are especially signifi cant in Canada’s aerospace history. Be prepared to justify the reasons for your choices when you share them with your classmates.

CBC News in Review • April 2009 • Page 52 THE FLIGHT OF THE SILVER DART Activity: Model Airplane Project

This activity gives you what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: to design your own airplane.

What would your personal airplane look like? Would it be a fl ashy racing plane? A sports model that could take off and land anywhere? A compact, fuel-effi cient green machine?

Prepare a visual presentation of your ideal airplane as either a model or a poster drawing. Include all the features you feel would be needed to make your personal aircraft uniquely yours.

If you are interested in learning more about aeronautics and aircraft design, you might enjoy visiting the NASA Quest Web site at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/aero/ background/. Especially interesting is the video on the Hyper-X aircraft, “The Process Involved in Aircraft Design,” at www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/ topnav/materials/listbytype/The_Process_Involved_in_Aircraft_Design_prt.htm.

Notes:

CBC News in Review • April 2009 • Page 53