The pursuit of early flight in tiny biplanes was dangerous
and very unpredictable, as the attempted flight by
Didier Masson
in October 1911 from Calgary to Edmonton demonstrated. The tiny
aircraft of the early years had minimal power and control during
flight. Sudden winds could cause a crash that could endanger the
pilot. In many cases, the uneven fields that pilots took off
from or landed on were filled with gopher holes or rocks that could catch
a wheel, destroying the machine and injuring the pilots. The act
of flying was only for the most brave.
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