[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5701]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           IN HONOR OF THE WORK OF PROFESSOR JOHN MONTGOMERY

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                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 5, 2005

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished work 
of Professor John J. Montgomery, a native Californian who was a pioneer 
of early aeronautics from 1882 until 1911.
  Professor Montgomery made many distinguished advances in the field of 
aerodynamics and fluid mechanics. In 1883, he designed, constructed, 
and flew a glider 600 feet at Otay Mesa, California, achieving the very 
first controlled flight of heavier-than-air, fixed winged craft in 
history. This was quite a remarkable feat, as Professor Montgomery 
relied only upon his superb knowledge of fluid mechanics and his 
scientific observations of birds.
  In 1893, after many more years of exploration and reflection, 
Professor Montgomery attended several conferences where he was able to 
share his findings with the world. Audiences were captivated by his 
writings describing fluid mechanics and his initial flight experiments. 
His original manuscript, aptly titled ``Soaring Flight,'' contained 
some of the world's earliest understanding of fluid dynamics and is now 
proudly displayed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC.
  As Professor Montgomery's interest and knowledge in fluid mechanics 
grew, he continued to explore the abilities of larger aircraft. 
Professor Montgomery was exhilarated by these larger models, and when 
inspired to fly, he retreated to the beautiful Leonard Ranch in Aptos, 
California, here in the 17th district.
  In 1903 Professor Montgomery reached a breakthrough and built a full-
scale version of his tandem wing design. He quickly began testing the 
abilities of his new machine by flying it like a kite, performing load 
carrying tests, practicing vertical drop launch, and equilibrium and 
control tests. He continued to conduct these tests and manned flight 
experiments in the spring and summer of 1904.
  In the winter of 1904-1905, Montgomery was ready to display the 
skills of his new craft in a spectacular new way. Montgomery hoisted 
his craft high into the air with the aid of a hot air balloon. 
Montgomery then trained a circus acrobat and a professional 
parachutist, Daniel J. Maloney, the delicate skills required to steer 
the aircraft. In March, 1905 in Aptos, the hot air balloon hoisted the 
glider and Mr. Maloney, high into the air. Audiences then were treated 
to the show of a lifetime. Mr. Maloney darted upward and downward, 
carving circles and figure eights. The new aircraft was an absolute 
sensation, with the longest flight lasting an astonishing eighteen 
minutes and covering a distance greater than two miles. Truly this was 
the very first flight of its kind, and Montgomery's ``aeroplane'' set 
lasting altitude and endurance tests that served as a testament to 
Professor Montgomery's genius.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the achievement of this 
fine gentleman on this day, March 19, 2005, the Centennial Celebration 
of his ``Soaring Flight''. Professor Montgomery will always be 
remembered for his ceaseless devotion to aerospace science and his many 
contributions to the Santa Cruz County community in the 20th century. 
Though no longer with us, it is my honor and pleasure to recognize such 
a unique and fascinating individual.

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