“ Not until 1909 did he become interested in aviation. His first practice flights were watched with interest by his San Diego friends. And when he became one of the greatest birdmen the world has so far known, San Diego was proud of him. But there were those in San Diego who also feared for him. One of the great pilots of sky craft, and realized that Walsh, as daring as the best, might soon join the ranks of those who had gone before. ”