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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 0806.PDF
LAJCHT] Strength of Materials, Observa tion, Propellers, Instruments and Motor Transport. These are delivered by lecturers who have had long experience in the class of work upon which they speak. and it will be readily admitted that the subjects dealt with form a most comprehensive and valu able course of study, which cannot fail to benefit all who attend the lectures. Meteorology. — This depart ment, which is under the direc tion of Mr. G. Dobson, M.A., undertakes the repair and over haul of instruments, as well as meteorological observation ; but a large amount of time and trouble is involved in making deductions from the observations taken so as to extract the fullest information from them. In addi tion to the usual periodic obser vations of temperature, baro metric height, humidity of the atmosphere, rainfall, the Idirec- tion land velocity of the wind, &c, the wind velocities at various elevations and the air currents in the atmosphere are charted. These are obtained by following the movement of pilot balloons in the lower regions of the atmosphere and by observing the movement and velocities of clouds; and are conducted in order to ascertain the effect of variations in the contour of the ground and the proximity of clumps of trees and buildings. The direction and elevation of the balloons are obtained by locating them at definite inter- M Flight " Copyright. A B.E. and a Henry Farman flying at Upavon. vals of time by the aid of a theodoliie, from which, knowing their distance from the observatory, the exact influence of the factors mentioned can be graphically represented. Readings are some times made at another station about 2,000 ryards away, which, in JULY 31, 1914. conjunction with the observa tions made at the principal station, enable the exact distance of the balloon to be ascertained. In determining the velocities and directions of clouds at various heights, it is important to get rid of the effects of per spective, and for this reason a special instrument is employed, a description of which may be of interest to our readers. This consists of a five-pronged fork set on its vertical axis, with the prongs in a horizontal line pointing upwards, the vertical column being assembled upon a stand on which a dial showing the points of the compass is mounted. As the fork is rotated, a needle moves over this dial, and indicates the direction in which the horizontal bar con necting the prongs is pointing. When a cloud is placed under observation, the fork is rotated until the cloud appears to be moving parallel to the points of the prongs. Perspective is then eliminated, and by noting the time taken for a part of the cloud to pass between two or more of the upright bars, and knowing the distance between the observer and the prongs, and the height of the cloud, or ils distance from the observer, its velocity may be calculated. The direction of movement of the cloud is given by the reading on the dial on the s'and. Conclusion. — It will be realised that in the Central Flying School we have a model institution for the purpose in view—namely, the training and education of pilots and air mechanics in the theory and practice of aeronautics. The organisation is complete in every branch of its work ; the course of training—mechanical, piloting and lectures— CENTRAL FLYING SCHOOL, UPAVON -A Henry Farman ,n flight and some of the Nl'Jrlcc FaTrTns' of B Flight on the ground. 806
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