MY CLOSEST SHAVE.

                                                                                   photo via Ralph Cooper
After Walter's First Parachute Jump, 1924

Years ago I was a test pilot for a Flying company in Dayton, Ohio.
For testing a German L.V.G. plane, I borrowed and wore a parachute (for the first time) from the Army base.

Soon after I was airborne I had to use a lot of right rudder and right aileron to hold up the left wing. At 200 feet, by leveling off, using full power and full right rudder and aileron I made a right hand circle and lined the field up for a landing. But when I throttled the left wing dropped again so had to open the throttle and make a left hand circle.
Knowing I couldn't land I decided to jump. Being very low; 200 feet; I stood up on the seat, pulled the rip cord, the chute opened and in a few seconds I was on the ground, unhurt, scared stiff, but very thankful for that parachute. The plane hit just 93 feet from where I hit, completely demolished.