Potomac Rriver

This is part one of a two-part review of Aviation from its beginnings to the present day. It is a subjective look at a few of the highlights in the development of Aviation over the centuries.

The generally accepted definition of Aviation is the design, manufacture, use, or operation of aircraft - in which the term aircraft refers to any vehicle capable of flight. Aircraft can either be heavier-than-air or lighter-than-air, lighter-than-air craft including balloons and airships; and heavier-than-air craft including airplanes, autogiros, gliders, helicopters and ornithopters.

It was the dream of man for centuries to soar with the birds. Famous inventors such as Leonardo da Vinci, John Stringfellow and Lawrence Hargrave had conjured up ideas of how to get some of the strangest machines to fly long before the Wright brothers' famous first flight at Kitty Hawk.

The kite was the first form of an aircraft believed to have been first designed in the 5th century BC. Roger Bacon, an English monk, performed studies later on in the 13th century which gave him the idea that air could support a craft just like water supports boats. In the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci studied birds flight and later produced the airscrew and the parachute. The airscrew, leading to the propeller later on and the parachute were tremendously important contributions to aviation. He envisioned three different types of heavier-than-air craft; the helicopter, glider and ornithopter (a machine with mechanical wings which flap to mimic a bird). Although Leonardo's designs were impractical, seeing they required human muscular power which was insufficient to generate flight with the aircraft he envisioned, he was vital to aviation because he was the first to make scientific suggestions.

Some of the more credible developments in actual flight and stability occurred in the 19th century. Sir George Cayley of Britain designed a combined helicopter and horizontally propelled aircraft and the British Francis Herbert Wenham used wind tunnels in his studies. He also predicted the application of multiple wings placed above each other. Another famous inventor was John Stringfellow, who designed a steam engine powered aircraft which was launched from a wire. This model demonstrated lift but failed to actually climb. Lawrence Hargrave, a British-born Australian inventor, created a rigid-wing aircraft with flapping blades operated by a compressed-air motor, it flew 312 ft (95m) in 1891.

Jean Marie Le Bris of France was a famous glider developer in the 19th century who tested a glider with movable wings. Kites also played an important role in the development of aviation, they could be used to test aerodynamics and flight stability. Lawrence Hargrave first created the box kite in 1893 and Alexander Graham Bell developed a gigantic passenger-carrying tetrahedral-celled kite from 1895 to 1910. Some of the most important full-scale model flight attempts were made by Samuel Langley, who created the first heavier-than-air, gasoline-powered engine which actually flew. The 'aerodrome', which he called it, was powered by a 53 horsepower 5-cylinder radial engine and later crashed into the Potomac river on December 1903 -- days before the Wright's historic flight.

Throughout this century, major developments would give inventors a sound basis in experimental aerodynamics, although stability and control required for sustained flight had not been acquired. Most importantly, inventors noticed that successful powered flight required light gasoline engines instead of the cumbersome steam engines previously used. Fortunately the development of the gasoline engine was being pushed by the burgeoning auto industry. Although in its infancy, designers and inventors were looking for lighter engines capable of increased horsepower to power their automobiles.

It is remarkable, from 1903 to today, how far aviation has come. On December 17, 1903, at 10:35 a.m., the Wright brothers' (Orville at the controls) made the first heavier-than-air, machine powered flight which lasted 12 seconds and spanned 120 feet. Their first flight was 102 feet short of the wingspan of the C-5 Galaxy today, yet they did what every man and woman had dreamed of for centuries. . . they flew. Yet, not all flights were victorious, on September 17, their aircraft crashed, injuring Orville and his passenger (Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge). Selfridge later died of a concussion and was the first person to be killed in a powered airplane. Yet the show went on and Wilbur went to France in August 1908 and on December 31, 1908, he completed a 2 hour 20 minute flight which demonstrated full control over his Flyer. The Flyer was purchased on August 2, 1909 and became the first successful military airplane. It remained in service for around two years and was retired to the Smithsonian Institution where it rests today.

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Prince William County, Virginia, is located in the State of Virginia and part of the metropolitan area of Washington DC. Its estimated population in 2009 394373rd county seat of Prince William County is the autonomous city of Manassas. It 'also part of Northern Virginia and one of the highest-income counties in the United States.

Prince William County History:

VA The region is rich in American history. In 1608, Captain John Smith and other English explorers reportedDoeg area American Indian tribe to be filled. The various villages in the region more Doeg the end of 1650 and at that time, settlers have begun to patent the land to maintain.

VA County was originally created as an act of the General Assembly of the Colony of Virginia in 1731 in much of the western part of Stafford County and part of King George County. The area includes the right originally created what would become Arlington County, City Alexandria, the city fell in Fairfax, Fairfax County, City Church, Fauquier County, Loudon County, Manassas and Manassas Park City

The county was the name of Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, third son of King George II derivatives.
For years, the community was largely rural, with half of most people in Manassas, which houses an important railway junction worn. The other half of the majority population in Occoquan and Woodbridge on the side of the base> Potomac River.

static growth in recent years:

A growing population began to grow in 1930, close to existing urban centers, especially in Manassas. Manassas' after the Second World War, the growth has been founded as a town in 1975. In 1960, Prince William County began to evolve into a bedroom community of Washington DC and the population has exploded dramatically, where the late 20's was the third mostcompetition in all the villages in the Virginia area. Most of this growth occurred in the last 20 years.

The latest U.S. Census Bureau reports that Prince William County has a total area of 348 square kilometers. 348 of which 338 square kilometers of land and 11 water. Prince William County Fauquier County bounded on the west, north through Loudoun and Fairfax County, east of the Potomac River in Charles County, Maryland, found in riveron the south by Stafford County.

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Virginia's Northern Neck, the northernmost of three peninsulas extending into Chesapeake Bay, is located between two rivers. To the north runs the peaceful Potomac river, with the historic Rappahannock running along the southern border and spilling into the Chesapeake Bay. For people looking to get away from big city life, Virginia's Northern Neck provides a sanctuary of tranquility. There is less than one person living in the Northern Neck for every 10 acres of land, with only a dozen traffic lights on the entire peninsula. For these reasons, many people find Northern Neck real estate, with an abundance of waterfront homes for sale, extremely enticing.

Commonly known as "the land of pleasant living", the stunning area has rich history, many natural attractions, as well as an abundance of recreational activities including boating, fishing, horseback riding, golf, and is a highly prized area for bird-watchers.

Virginia's Northern Neck is considered by many to be one of the most peaceful places in the area, due to its historic villages, rural charm, and timeless appeal. George Washington, who was born and lived in the Northern Neck, once called it the "Garden of Virginia."

The History of the Northern Neck

Virginia's Northern Neck was discovered by John Smith, who described it as "a place heaven and earth agreed better to frame man's habitation." It was the birthplace of United States presidents George Washington, James Madison, James Monroe, and U.S. Civil War General Robert E. Lee.

Prior to European colonization, Native Americans had inhabited the Northern Neck for at least 10,000 years. Native American villages thrived on the peninsula's extensive river and stream network. Rivers such as the Wicomico, Coan, and Nomini are named for the tribes who settled upon their shores.

The peninsula is home to an exorbitant amount of historical sites, such as Popes Creek Plantation- the birthplace of the first President of the United States, George Washington. Washington's actual house was destroyed by a fire during the American Revolution, and a memorial house was constructed in the 1930s on the now 550 acre national park. Here, costumed interpreters recreate 18th century life on the plantation. Stratford Hall Plantation, Robert E. Lee's birthplace, is managed to this day as a working farm and includes a functioning mill. These two historic venues are among the 16 museums on the peninsula open to the public for tours.

Recreational Attractions

The Northern Neck is prized for its vast array of outdoor activities. With hundreds of rivers, streams, creeks, coves, and saltwater marshes, water plays a vital role in these activities. Boaters, and recreational and competitive fishermen come to the Northern Neck to experience the 1,100 miles of shoreline.

With 21 Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail sites, the Northern Neck is also a prime location for birding. 6,500 preserved acres provide an unspoiled habitat for over 250 distinct species of birds. Depending on the season, you can see a plethora of songbirds, waterfowl, wading birds, as well as a variety of magnificent butterflies. Also, Celadon Natural Area, spanning 2,500 acres along the Potomac River, boasts one of the largest concentrations of the American Bald Eagle on the East Coast.

Golfers can choose between the celebrated Golden Eagle Golf Club and the player-friendly Quinton Oaks Golf Course, and end with a meal at either of their clubhouses.

Bikers can enjoy one of four Biking Heritage Tours of the Northern Neck, while hikers can partake in an eco-tour of the 733-acre Belle Isle State Park or the 6,000-acre Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

If you are fed up with big city traffic, noise, and over development, then it is easy to see why Virginia's Northern Neck is an ideal place to get back to roots, breath in the fresh, clean air, and let it all roll off your shoulders.

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ABC News report from the November 1985 Potomac River Flood which hit Green Spring WV and Front Royal and Harpers Ferry. Anchored by Peter Jennings



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oilTvtgysH0&hl=en

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