FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0138.PDF
MARCH 13, 1909. ASPECT: AT the time of the King of Spain's visit to Pau, Messrs. Wright intimated in the course of casual conversation that, apart from France, they did not foresee any immediate and widespread use for aeroplanes as purely sporting machines. In Britain and in the United States they thought that the near future of aeroplaning would rest rather with military requirements than with sports- men, it being felt that when they came to realise what time and patience were needed to achieve flights under conditions favourable to the present early stage of the science that the purely pleasurable phases of mechanical flight would suffer relative neglect as being too few and far between. At the same time, the American pioneers pointed out that they had no knowledge of conditions in these islands, consequently they were merely giving expression to impressions which subsequent acquaintance with this country might cause them to remodel. The mere idea is worth recording at the moment, how- ever, if only because in the early stages of dynamic flight, when so much theory, and relatively so little fact, is available, every utterance of the very few men who can point to practical achievements must be deemed of the utmost weight to those interested in the science. More- over, quite apart from the question as to whether or not the immediate sporting future of flying in Britain will be something of significant proportions, we have first to consider the contention that there is an immediate use for aeroplanes for military purposes. In this connection it must be had in mind that certain questions have been asked in Parliament lately, and one member of the House has made suggestions to the effect that no more public money should be expended on flying machines or on endeavours to evolve practical ones. Happily, far other views are entertained, however, in British Govern- ment circles, as Mr. Haldane's recent statements reveal; while even in Spain, which is generally considered to be one of the decaying and most conservative of nations, mechanical flight is being seriously considered. The object of King Alfonso's visit to Pau was that he might judge for himself concerning the present suitability of aeroplanes for scouting purposes, his Government having voted a sum of approximately ^10,000 for the purchase of an aeroplane and a dirigible balloon. Doubtless the expert will reflect that the amount is very inadequate ; but it approximates astonishingly closely to the moneys that have been expended hitherto by the Government yearly in this country on the military phases of aeronautics. What was Wilbur Wright able to prove to the King of Spain ? The accounts published in the daily press have merely touched on the significance of the demonstration, as anyone who chanced to witness it would be well aware. Briefly, it proved to the absolute satisfaction of all present that in the space of a few miles an aeroplane of the Wright type, flying at approximately 100 ft. off the ground, is invisible. And it must be borne in mind that now that the example in question has been fitted with larger and more efficient propellers its mean rate of travel is 39^- miles an hour, which means that it can get lost to view in seven minutes. As a fact, it took less time than that in the demonstrations given at Pont Long, where the biplane disappeared from view in one direc- tion, namely, towards the Tarbes, and came in sight again 14 mins. later from quite another point of the compass. When the construction of the machine is recalled, it is •• more easy to appreciate how readily it is lost to view. The planes lie horizontal, and the rudders are vertical and not broad. Thus the only "solid" things that the eye can dwell on when the machine is going from or coming towards the onlooker are the motor and the pilot. The four-cylinder petrol engine of 24-h.p. is a thing of quite insignificant depth, while a man seated is visible only by the height of his body, so that both conductor and engine become quickly dwarfed to the vision at any distance beyond a quarter of a mile away. There remains the practical question of the noise made by the machine. At present the exhaust is practically open, and on a still day one can undoubtedly hear it faintly for the distance of a mile and a half, but there is absolutely . no reason why the same type of light silencer that is found efficient for motor cars should not be employed on a biplane which, in the case of the Wright machine, would be inaudible at the distance of a hundred yards, for the chains are kept constantly greased as they roll through their guides, and the screws turn at relatively a very slow rate. These things being so, it was no boyish enthusiasm that caused the King of Spain to exclaim : " I have seen the machine of the future—for the aeroplane is that." At present the British public has had no opportunity of = judging this point, but it is gratifying to know that : during the course of the coming summer more than one • aeroplane with which practical flights have been made abroad will be demonstrated with in this country. The successful advent of such machines will be- of immense help to the development of aerial loco- motion in these islands in that there is no means of education equally quick with that which can be received through the eye. The bioscope has proved a very useful stop-gap in this connection ; but it is no more than a make-shift. Ocular demonstration, in Britain will bear fruit in two directions, for it will give an immediate and practical impetus to the sporting phases of the movement, and it will mark the beginning of public appreciation of the significance of the new science as a means of increased military and naval effi- ciency. Doubtless the effect of the demonstrations willi not stop there, for it is in the irony of things that the mass of the people rarely receive opinions with, logical deliberation. Rather do they prefer to jump, to conclusions. That is one of the chief dreads. •' entertained by Messrs. Wright, who are always' ; fearful lest folk should expect more of flying machines than they are actually capable of at present. For that reason they prefer to be silent as to what can or might be done. Instead, they do their best. That should be the motto of every patriot who takes an intelligent interest in the new science. And as FLIGHT makes its appeal to those whose enthusiasm and knowledge are perhaps the chief present means of educating public opinion in Britain, it is needful to sound a note of warning against the dangers of sensationalism. In France some of the practical leaders of the movement are already lamenting the sensational tactics that are proving so successful for raising funds for aerial leagues. It is sincerely to be hoped that, when the time comes, the movement wilL not be injured in any such way in Britain. 14O
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
