Cockermouth Castle
COCKERMOUTH CASTLE: Temporary and singular flight attempt
Operated by: Mr Robert Dixon
Period of operation: On one day in 1815?
NOTES: It would seem, according to the privately published “Records of the Rudd Family” in 1920, that “his attempted flight from Cockermouth Castle with a self-invented flying machine, resulted in his falling and breaking a leg in sight of the townspeople who had assembled to see him fly”.
This flight attempt appears roughly similar to the flight attempt by the monk Eilmer from Malmesbury Abbey (WILTSHIRE) in 1003, only Eilmer’s flight was more successful. Between this fairly successful flight by Eilmer in 1003, in the intervening years it would appear that nearly all flight attempts were fatal - having a glide ratio of 1:1.
No information regarding any lateral distance flown appears to be known, but perhaps Mr Dixon’s flying apparatus had a “parachute” effect, hence preventing fatal injuries?
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