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Aviation History
1912
1912 - 0165.PDF
FEBRUARY 24, 1912. the error will probably be found to increase or decrease in what very often appears to be the most erratic manner. Curve A taken from a Bleriot before adjustment shows this very clearly. The central line would be the curve if the compass pointed correct magnetic north. From the curve it will be seen that the error varies enormously. This difference between compass reading and correct magnetic is called " deviation," and is produced by the iron, steel and magneto, &C, composing the structure of the aeroplane and engine. There is absolutely no way of shielding the compass from the effects of this iron, &c, and all that can be done is to neutralise its effect on the card as much as possible by the introduction of other magnets, soft iron, &c. By such means the deviation can generally be reduced to a very small, frequently a negli gible amount, but in so doing the compass itself must become more or less sluggish. AViators have frequently questioned when the writer has complained about some piece of exceptionally neariron which could easily be replaced by bronze or such non-magnetic material—"Why, if you can correct for the mass of iron in the engine, do you make such a fuss about this small piece ? " The fact is that the small piece close to the compass may have a very much bigger effect than the engine at a distance, and to correct for the small piece would ® ® The Aero Club of America "Bulletin." BEARING the above title, there comes to hand a charming publication issued by the Aero Club of America. It is very artistically and tastefully got up, and bears the impress of having been produced by those to whom money is no particular object. It contains a number of drawings by well-known American artists, printed on plate paper 10 ins. by 7 ins., several of which we reproduce. Most of the articles are illustrated by a large number of photographs. The longest article is one by Mr. Henry Woodhouse, on the evolution of aviation in 1911. There are also several interesting views of the interior of the Aero Club of America's fine Head quarters. [/jJGHT] mean so many powerful magnets that the earth's magnetism would be able to exert very little effect on ;he compass needles. Another great trouble to the compass adjuster is the aeroplane builder who will insist on making his control levers, &c, of iron or steel, or possibly as a great favour he puts in a brass one made of tubing, carefully putting on asteelband toendit up with or else plugging it with steel. Of course, all his thought- fulness in using a brass lever is wasted. Frequently after a compass has been very carefully adjusted and the job has been left as finished, it is found that a map case or speed indicator has been fixed with steel brackets and iron screws. Of course the whole of the adjustment, probably occupying 3 or 4 hours, is wasted. Another cause of trouble is the stowing away at the last moment of a bag of tools or spare parts, or perhaps the aviator slips a large spanner or knife into his pocket. In all these cases the compass is blamed if it reads incorrectly, whereas of course it is not the compass's fault at all. It is of extreme importance that all control levers should be of non-magnetic material, as not only do they have a large effect on the compass but, being a varying effect owing to the different positions they occupy from time to time, it is impossible to correct for them. (To be concluded.) ® ® Wright Brothers and the Gordon'Bennett Race. FEARS having been expressed that foreign aviators would not visit America for the Gordon-Bennett race in view of the Wright Bros, legal actions for alleged infringements of patents, the Aero Club of America have obtained assurances from the Wright Bros. that they will not in any way restrain foreign aviators who visit America for the International Race Meeting. An American Aeronautic Laboratory. THE Aero Club of America is at present giving its consideration to a project for establishing a laboratory, similar to that at St.Cyr, in France, for the studying of various problems connected with aeronautics. A sail! A sail 165 From the Aero Club of America "Bulletin"
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