Aviation

"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward Ive climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds,—and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hovring there, Ive chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air…. Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue Ive topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark nor ever eagle flew— And, while with silent lifting mind Ive trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God."

"Ours is the commencement of a flying age, and I am happy to have popped into existence at a period so interesting."

"Fleets are not confined to the ocean, but now sail over the land. … All the power of the British Navy has not been able to prevent Zeppelins from reaching England and attacking London, the very heart of the British Empire. Navies do not protect against aerial attack. … Heavier-than-air flying machines of the aeroplane type have crossed right over the heads of armies, of million of men, armed with the most modern weapons of destruction, and have raided places in the rear. Armies do not protect against aerial war."

"The air is the only place free from prejudices. I knew we had no aviators, neither men nor women, and I knew the Race needed to be represented along this most important line, so I thought it my duty to risk my life to learn aviation and to encourage flying among men and women of our Race who are so far behind the White race in this modern study."