It was some years later when his invention at last 

 caught hold and was adopted by the Army Air Force. To- 

 day the Link trainer is well known, its compHcated elec- 

 tronic successors simulating the very latest developments 

 in modern aircraft. 



Along with Ed's interest in flight training came a 

 lively interest in exploring the possibilities for develop- 

 ing new and better methods of air navigation. He co- 

 operated with Captain P. V. H. Weems, U.S.N., the navi- 

 gation authority, and others in working out and adapting 

 new types of aviation instruments and equipment, a bub- 

 ble sextant for use in aircraft, and more efficiently ar- 

 ranged instrument panels and cockpits. During World 

 War II his small company mushroomed until he found 

 himself at the head of a booming enterprise which 

 played an important role in the success of the whole 

 Allied air effort. 



His entire life pattern has developed in that way, his 

 inventive mind and creative thinking carrying him along 

 from one new project to another. It was not surprising 

 that the conclusion of the war should find him seeking a 

 change from the rigorous attention to business which the 

 war years had demanded. From then on, he spent his free 

 time sailing and racing oiu: lovely forty-three-foot yawl 

 in the waters around Florida, Cuba and the Bahamas. 



Here, too, he was soon making innovations, this time 

 in the ancient art of sailboat racing. By applying principles 

 learned in the air to offshore navigation, using air naviga- 

 tion charts and a radio direction finder, he won the 

 Havana-St. Petersburg race first in his class and second in 

 the fleet, though he was a completely unknown newcomer 

 in the field of ocean racing. 



By 1951 the novelty had worn off this strenuous sport. 

 Ed was fed up with the many weeks of careful prepara- 

 tion, the difficulties of organizing crews, and the terrific 



The Florida Keys 7 



