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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 0142.PDF
[/JJGHT] FEBRUARY 8, 1913. IKe Rocsal &ero Clu of the United Kiz\gdo: 3B OFFICIAL NOTICES TO MEMBERS ANNUAL DINNER. The ANNUAL DINNER will take place at the ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB, PALL MALL, S.W. (by kind permission), on THURSDAY, MARCH 13th, 1913, at 7.30 for 8 o'clock. (Since circularising the members it has been found necessary to alter the date from March 6th to 13th.) * In order to facilitate the arrangements, Members are requested to notify the Secretary as early as possible, if it is their intention to be present, and at the same time give the names of their Guests, if any. Members may be accompanied by Ladies. Tickets (exclusive of Wines and Cigars)—15s. each. The following prizes won during the year will be pre sented : — The British Empire Michelin Trophy No. 1, to H. G. Hawker. The British Empire Michelin Trophy No. 2, to S. F. Cody. An entertainment will take place after the Dinner. INTERNATIONAL AERO SHOW AT OLYMPIA. The International Aero Show organised by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, supported by the Royal Aero Club, will be held at Olympia from February 14th to 22nd, 1913. Members of the Royal Aero Club are admitted free on presentation of their membership cards. A room in the Princes' Gallery will be placed at the disposal of the members during the exhibition. Committee Meeting. A meeting of the Committee was held on Tuesday, the 4th inst., when there were present : Sir Charles D. Rose, Bart., M.P., in the chair, Mr. Griffith Brewer, Mr. C. B. Cockburn, Col. H. C. L. Holden, C.B., F.R.S., Mr. F. K. McClean, Mr. C. F. Pollock, Mr. A. Mortimer Singer, Mr. R. W. Wallace, K.C., and the Secretary. New Members.—The following new members were elected :— Capt. P. G. Barrett, 2nd Lieut. S. H. Batty-Smith, Lieut. G. Blatherwick, John Boyle, Langley F. Ellis, J. J. Hammond, Robert J. MacGeagh Hurst, 2nd Lieut. A. Allen Knight, Capt. Joseph H. A. Landon, Capt. H. C. MacDonnell, Henry Morris, Capt. H. Musgrave, R.E., Lieut. D. Percival, R.G.A., Lieut. P. H. L. Playfair, Hugh C. Tower, and H. B. Wall. Aviators' Certificates.—The following Aviators' Certificates were granted:— 409. Horace A. Buss (Blackburn Monoplane, Blackburn School, Hendon). 410. Montague F. Glew (Blackburn Monoplane, Blackburn School, Hendon). 411. Hubert Scott (Deperdussin Monoplane, Deperdussin School, Hendon). 412. Air Mechanic Reginald Collis (Maurice Farman Biplane, Central Flying School, Upavon). 413. Christopher Nevile (Bristol Biplane, Bristol School, Brook. lands). 414. Capt. E. G. R. Lithgow, R.A.M.C. (Short Biplane, Central Flying School, Upavon). Public Safety and Accidents Investigation Committee.—On the motion of Col. H. C. L. Holden, the following report of the Public Safety and Accidents Investigation Committee was unani mously adopted :— REPORT ON THE FATAL ACCIDENT TO MR. L. F. MAC- DONALD AND MR. HARRY- ENGLAND WHEN FLYING OVER THE RIVER THAMES NEAR PURFLEET, ON MONDAY, JANUARY 13TH, 1913. Brief Description of the Accident.—Mr. L. F. Macdonald, with Mr. Harry England, a mechanic, flying on a Vickers Biplane, fitted with a 70-h.p. Gnome engine, was making a trial flight from the Vickers' Trial Ground near Erifh, on Monday, January 13th, 1913, at 3.30 p.m. After leaving the ground, the aircraft headed towards the river, which is situated about 1,300 yards from the starting place. The aircraft went partly across the river, turned to the left, and descended slowly on to the water. The aircraft sank, and both men were drowned. Mr. L. F. Macdonald was granted his Aviator's Certificate, No. 28, on November 15th, 1910, by the Royal Aero Club. Report.—The Cqmmittee sat on Monday, January 20th, and Monday, January 27th, 1913, and received the report of the Club representatives who visited Erith. This report included the evidence of eye-witnesses. Capt. H. F. Wood, of Messrs. Vickers, Ltd., attended and gave evidence on the various points raised by the Committee. From the consideration of this evidence the Committee regards the following facts as clearly established :— (1) The aircraft was built in December, 1912. (2) There was practically no wind at the time of the accident. (3) The flight lasted less than three minutes, during the latter part of which the aircraft was flying slowly. (4) When over the river, which at this point is about half-a-mile wide, and within about 200 yards of the opposite shore, the aircraft, after turning to the left, went a hundred yards or so up the river, descending slowly. (5) The aircraft rose momentarily when over the middle of the river. (6) When the aircraft alighted on the water the engine was running, and the propeller broke on touching the water. (7) After alighting, the aircraft sank gradually, not being designed to float. It took about two minutes to disappear. (8) The quick release belts supplied by the firm were used by both men. (9) One man sank with the aircraft and the other sank close to it. (10) Up to February 4th, 1913, neither the men nor the aircraft have been located. Opinion.—The Committee is of opinion that the accident was primarily due to a flight at a low altitude over the river being attempted when the engine was not working properly. Whilst crossing the river, and on turning, the pilot was unable to prevent the aircraft from descending gradually on to the water. Recommendation.—The risk that is run by a pilot in persevering in a flight with a faulty engine has already been drawn attention to in the Committee's report on the fatal accident to Lieut. Parke, R.N., at Wembley, on December 15th, 1912, and this further accident adds additional emphasis to the danger. This flight, in that it was effected over water at a low altitude, demanded additional precaution. When flights over water are habitually attempted, precautionary measures should always be taken, either the aircraft itself should be capable of floating for a reasonable time, or, alternatively, the men should wear, or have available, some appliance for keeping them afloat until rescued. F.A.I. Paris Conference- —Mr. Griffith Brewer briefly reported to the Committee the decisions arrived at at the Extraordinary Conference of the Federation held in Paris on January 28th and 29th, which will be found under a separate heading. A unanimous vote of thanks was passed to the delegates who attended the Conference on behalf of the Club. Federation Aeronauttque Internationale. An extraordinary conference of the Federation was held in Paris on January 28th and 29th, 1913. Delegates from all countries affiliated to the Federation were present, the Royal Aero Club being represented by Mr. Griffith Brewer and Mr. H. E. Perrin. Gordon-Bennett Aviation Cup.—It was decided that the race for t his year, which takes place in France, should be for a distance of 200 kilometres over a course of not less than 5 kilometres. The Aero Club of France, "who will organise the race, informed the Fed6ration that it hoped to arrange a course of at least 10 kilometres. Hydro-Aeroplane Certificates.—The Federation decided that the ordinary Aviators' Certificates should be valid for flights over both land and water. It was further decided that certificates should be granted in respect of tests made over the water, but that such certificates should not be valid for flights over land. It will therefore be seen that it is not necessary for the holders of the F.A.I, aviator's certificate to obtain a special water certificate. In the case, however, of aviators who have passed the water tests only, their certificates will be endorsed accordingly, and do not imply qualification for land flights. The holder of a certificate so endorsed can have it converted into a full F.A.I. Aviator's Cer tificate, on carrying out the landing tests at present in force. The full regulations dealing with the tests to be carried out over water will be issued in due course. 142
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