NEWSLETTER - The Association of Retired Police Officers is an ...

6 ARPO May 2011
The Hempstead Plains By 1909 the first
daring flights were made from the central
area of Nassau County, then known as the
Hempstead Plains. Because the flat, open
landscape made a natural airfield, close
to New York, the earliest aviators were
drawn to the place. Thus aviation was first
introduced to this area where it was to
remain the focus of intense activity for the
next 50 years.
Herring-Curtiss No. 1 Golden Flyer (replica)
Long Island's first successful aircraft flights
were made by this aircraft in July 1909 on a
portion of the Hempstead Plains near where
the county courthouses now are. By virtue
of this first flight, the aviation industry on
Long Island was born. Aviation pioneer
Glenn Curtiss was commissioned by the
New York Aeronautic Society to provide an
aircraft for $5000. The group set up camp
on the Hempstead Plains near Mineola as
the area was flat, open, with an absence of
trees. There was plenty of room to maneuver.
The Herring-Curtiss Company, which lasted
but a year, was formed by Curtiss and local
aviation pioneer Augustus Herring. This was
however, the first American company to build
and sell an airplane. The plane flew well for
its day and was very maneuverable. One of
the first airplanes built by Curtiss employed
many controls developed and patented by the
Wright brothers.