The Argo Goes West

54, Go through the moving rocks, part 2

"I can't, Wilbur. I can't do it. Say no."

Orville asked his brother Wilbur. However, Wilbur persuaded his brother instead.

"You can do it. You can definitely do it."

Wilbur's expression stiffened. In fact, he also had no confidence that he would succeed, and he told himself that he could.

Roosevelt's plan was clearly reckless. It was to plunge between moving rocks with a powered airplane developed by the brothers and avoid the rocks just before they closed. They are Wright brothers. Before Argo's departure, they flight-tested the Wright Flyer, built with financial support from the United States and technical suggestions from Octave Chanut and others. The result was a resounding success. Flight range is 2,800 feet. The Wright Flyer was the first manned powered flight in human history. They had been developing it in their spare time from work at the bicycle shop, but due to the recent catastrophe, the completion has been sped up. Since then, they have conducted several flight tests, and the flight distance now exceeds 4,000 feet. So they had confidence in flying. But the plan this time is more than just flying.

Vice President Roosevelt explained: A moving rock tries to return to its original position after being hit. Even if another object passes between the rocks during that time, the rocks will not react. Once the rock is back in its original position, it will start moving again. The plan is to let the Argo pass through while the rocks are returning. If the Argo runs at maximum speed, it can pass easily, but it will be too late if it departs after seeing the success of the Wright Flyer. Pete Stryker said the Wright Flyer had to take off at the same time as the Argo. The Wright Flyer must maintain the prescribed speed. (Neither too early nor too late. Too early and the Argo will crash into a closed rock, too late and the Argo will get caught in the rocks on its way.) Of course, they weren't allowed to give up the flight in the middle. What was required of them was accuracy in driving and a steadfast spirit that would not be shaken by any trouble. The pilot's skill was as important as the machine. The pilot, Orville, said.

"When you were summoned by the Vice President, I should have accompanied you. Then I could have told him directly that I couldn't."

Actually, Wilbur was going to say that when he told him about the plan. Captain Harris also said he wouldn't force me. So why did Wilbur say yes? Vice President Theodore Roosevelt is to blame. "I believe in you," said Roosevelt, looking into Wilbur's eyes. "There were several other candidates for flight machine development. For example, Gustave Whitehead of the Aeronautical Club of Boston. Some on the committee favored him. But I chose you. do you know why? You wrote in your letter, 'Humans Can Fly Too!' I was touched by your conviction. And you fulfilled that belief. This mission is difficult, but I believe you can do it." Wilbur could not refuse.

"I have faith in your piloting skills," Wilbur told Orville. "We can decide the starting timing ourselves. We can take off when the conditions are met. What other concerns do you have?"

"There are a lot of them. For example, what do you do if parts fall off?"

"I will do enough maintenance, so there is no problem, what else?"

Wilbur solved the problems one by one.

"The main problem is that I have to risk my life to fly between rocks," said Orville.

"Worst case scenario, you're going to dump the Wright Flyer and jump into the Colorado River. The Wright Flyer will be destroyed, but the moving rock will return to its original position, so the Argo will be able to run between the rocks as planned."

Orville reluctantly agreed.

"Maybe the Vice President is having fun," said Orville.

"What?" asked Wilbur.

"Adventure. I think he's going out on a limb on purpose."

Orville's point was spot on. Theodore Roosevelt was a born adventurer. But it was the same with the Wright brothers. A reckless challenging spirit that wants to fly in the sky like a bird. Even though there are people like Otto Lilienthal who crashed during flight machine experiments and lost their lives.

"Let's just try," said Wilbur. "Practice now. You can do it! I believe!"