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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0123.PDF
FEBRUARY 27, 1909. TT according to the following formula: o = p. p/ where E is the horizontal distance between two points of observation, E' is the distance traversed by the wind during the period, and H is the fall of the machine during the period. The period must be timed by officials, and the wind measured at an altitude of 10 metres at least above the top of the hill used for starting. 6. The sustaining power, Q, of a glider will be considered as the ratio — of the weight A per sq. metre to the weight A.' of A a parachute falling vertically with the same vertical speed, v. The weight per sq. metre will be considered as the total weight, P, of the machine in respect to its total surface, S. The rate of fall, v, is represented by the vertical distance divided by the time of a given period. The load of a parachute for comparison is given by the formula A' = C085 vl where v is the rate of fall (the constant 0x185 is considered as representing the mean coefficient of air resistance). The sustaining power, Q, thus obtained will be the basis of awards and records under this heading. It is not necessary in this trial to measure the speed of the wind. 7. The load - weight rates will be considered as the ratio, P'/P" = 1, of the useful load, P', carried to the weight, P", of the machine itself. This ratio will serve as a basis of awards and records under this heading. 8. The mean of three trials will be used as a basis for awards and records in tests carried out according to Articles 4, 5> and 6. 9. The all-round efficiency, G, of the machine wili be represented by the marks C, C, and C", collected according to the following formula G = C + C + \C". The values of C, C and C" will be determined as follows :— (1.) Glides of gradual descent. C= which gives a maximum a of 20 for 0 = ' 20' (2.) Sustaining power. C =— which gives a maximum of 20 for Q = 100. (3.) Load/weight ratio. C" = 4 1, which gives a maximum of 20 for 1 = 5. 10. Records for registration must specify the resulls under each heading. The general marking will not count for the registration of records. 11. Trials carried out under any of the above headings, but according to simplified methods, will not hold as records. 12. Competitions of (1) distance, (2) duration, (3) load/weight ratio, and (4) all round merit, will be recognised. 13. Trials of distance must be carried out like those of gradual descent, except that the distance will be reckoned from a point defined by the officials, which must be crossed in full flight, to the spot where the machine first touches the ground. 14. Trials of duration will be carried out like those for sustaining power ; the fall will be reckoned as being merely the distance of descent in a given period of time. 15. Competitions of the third and fourth classes in Article 12 will' be carried out as indicated in Articles 7 and 8. CLASS D.—Kites. Unmounted Machines' Trials of Merit-—1. Competitors may submit machines of any kind and size. The kites will be raised simultaneously by means provided by the competitors, and each with a cord having a length fixed by the officials between 200 and 400 metres. The cords may be of any size or kind. 2. Competitors must provide some form of instrument capable of registering continuously the pull of the kite on the cord. The officials have the right to demand that such instruments shall be tested in their presence. Competitors must submit to the use of other competitors' instruments for testing their kites, and vice versa. 3. Trials must last at least I hour, and if the machine falls to the ground before that time has elapsed it will be disqualified. 4. The officials will measure (1) the surface, (2) weight, (3) angle of inclination of the cord, (4) pull on the cord. Measurements of the angle and pull will be made simultaneously, if possible, for all devices in the competition. 5. The jury will take note of the stability of the kites. 6. In eliminating trials an angle of inclination of less than 45° to the horizontal will disqualify. 7. Classification will be made in the following manner :—I mark for the ratio, vertical lift per square metre of surface ; I mark for the value of the sign of the angle of the inclination of the cord to the horizontal; 2 marks for stability. 8. Altitude.—Competitors may enter devices of any kind and size. 9. Each device must be fitted with an altitude recorder, and the various machines will be sent up simultaneously by the competitors,, who must provide the apparatus and coid necessary. No special conditions are imposed as to the nature of this apparatus. 10. Awards will be made in accordance with the order in which, the devices reach the highest altitude, and without consideration for the time during which they remain there. 11. Mounted Kites.—A mounted kite or train of kites must be capable of lifting a basket of sufficient capacity to carry an aeronaut, and at least 70 kilogs. of ballast. Competitors mount their kites at' their own risk. 12. Trials of Merit and Stability.—Mounted kites will be tested on the same lines as unmounted kites, but the angle of inclination will be considered as that represented by a line carried to the centre of the basket from the anchorage of the cord. 13. Altitude.—Mounted machines will be tested for altitude on the same lines as unmounted machines, but the recording instrument must be in the basket with the aeronaut. 14. Gliding Trials.—Trials of altitude may be combined with; trials of gliding by cutting the cables while the kite is in the air. Awards will be made for the slowest descents. 15. Records.—Records of altitude for mounted and unmounted' machines are recognised. . :. CORRESPONDENCE. *»* The name and address of the writer (not necessarily for publication) MUST in all cases accompany letters intended for insertion, or containing queries. AERONAUTICAL TERMINOLOGY. To the Editor of FLIGHT. SIR,—I am pleased to note an effort is being made to systemati- cally arrange our future aeronautical language. I thoroughly endorse the views set forth in your correspondence columns of current issue in a large measure. Although unable, due to distance from the metropolis, to join the various associations therein, I presume comment from an outsider's point of view is permitted. As regards the misuse of the word "aeroplane," there can be no question. It is to be hoped you will endeavour, as the pioneer, and therefore the most immediately influential periodical, to do as sug- gested, "relegate this to its obviously proper place." The hint is given that criticism on this subject should be brief, hence I will try to be so. " Length" is as much a misnomer as " aeroplane." How would the combination " fore-aft " measurement meet the case ? Your "spread or span " is belter than your correspondent's " transverse," "bi-flier," " tri-flier, &c, and would quickly, if adopted by you, become universal. It may appear somewhat drastic to attempt substitution o( another word for "aeroplane" as now used, but as the science is only in its initial stage it should be a comparatively easy matter. What is the "hash" of terms by the International Aero Com- mission? I have not heard of this society before, and have not access to the Aeronautical Journal. I entirely disagree with Mr. Alderson that a glossary could be arranged at one sitting. On the contrary, it should be most care- fully considered and discussed before final acceptance. Yours truly, Carlisle. J. G. MOFFETT. • , To the Editor of' FUGHT. SIR,—I have read with interest the comments on aeronautical nomenclature, and hope, as proposed in the correspondence column, that the term "aeroplane" will now be discontinued as an expres- sion to denote a "flying machine." It is noteworthy that in the recent smart article by Mr. Wilbur Wrig t in the London Magazine, that most practical exponent of aerial navigation uses throughout the word " flyer " when referring to the machine. There surely could be no valid objection to the appropriation in scientific periodicals such as yours, of Mr. Wright's definition, instead of the present objectionable term. " Curvane " and " aerofoil " are quite suitable words, both having been used in recent years. "Wing," as expressing a part of a machine, is not good ; it ought to be left, in my opinion, to represent its original meaning. Surely the numerous inventors who read your comprehensive weekly paper will be able to suggest many suitable expressions from which you. could select the best forms. Therefore, there is no necessity for further criticism in this letter. Yours faithfully, Hornsey. KENROY. 125
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