AERONAUTICS: Flast Flying

Fast Flying

In a blinding sandstorm, Major Leo G. Heffernan made the fastest flight on record, when he achieved an average speed of 250 miles an hour, according to an announcement of the War Department dated March 24. Major Heffernan flew in a DH-4B plane from Columbus, N. M., to Fort Bliss, Texas, a distance of 75 miles, in eighteen minutes. During the flight, which was aided by a follow-ing wind, the plane was surrounded by clouds of dust, out of which it was unable to climb.

Two days later, on March 26, at Dayton, Ohio, Lieut. R. L. Maughan established a new world's speed record of 233.87 miles an hour, exceeding the former record made by the French flyer, Sadi Lecointe, by 86 miles an hour.