FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1916
1916 - 0991.PDF
NOVEMBER O, 1916. f/DCHT] JUVJWJEMS wimsvm. If in doubt about anything aviatic, write to " FLIGHT " about it. H. C. B. (King's Lynn). Aeroplanes differ considerably in the way in which they take a turn, and no doubt two different pilots will handle the same machine in different ways. Some machines, notably those in -which inherent lateral stability is present to a certain extent, are turned solely with the rudder, and will automati cally take up the correct bank for the particular turning radius without the aid of the ailerons. With other machines, as for instance the Morane monoplanes, the turn is, we believe, initiated, or at any rate greatly assisted by, warping. Other machines, especially those with a low centre of gravity, may have a tendency to bank too steeply for the turn, and lateral control used to check the bank. The purpose of the spirit level on board an aeroplane is to indicate the correct bank, but as the spirit in the instrument is subject to centri- frugal force it is difficult to design one which will give correct indications under all conditions. Some pilots use a short length of string for the same purpose, a relative side-wind causing the string to point slightly sideways instead of straight back. In certain respects the string may be more reliable than the spirit level, since the centrifugal force on it is negli gible, but on the other hand there may be practical difficulties of fitting the string in a place where it shall be outside the slip stream of the propeller and yet be in such a position that the pilot can see whether it is pointing straight back or slightly to one side. In a very steep bank, frequently too steep for the turn, the inertia of the machine, assisted to a certain extent by the vertical side area, tends to prevent it from side-slipping downwards, although in most cases there probably is a slight drop, which is, however, so slight as to be hardly noticeable. An exception would appear to be formed by the small and very fast scouts. When Mr. Hawker did his sharp turns round the pylons at Hendon on the Sopwith scouts, he invariably aide-slipped upwards, and it appeared that, steep as his banks were, they were not quite steep enough for the turn. It is difficult to say what is the minimum radius of turning of a small scout. They give the impression, when handled by a skilled pilot, of turning in their own length, but in reality the turning radius is probably about ioo ft. In speaking of the gliding angle of an aeroplane, the smallest angle of which the machine is capable is usually meant, the " natural " gliding angle differing with various types and being dependent on a number of things, so that no hard-and-fast rules can be laid down. The term " Oleo pneumatic" is frequently applied erroneously to undercarriages in which the landing shocks are absorbed by springs while the rebound is checked by oil contained in a small cylinder in which works a piston. The word oleo is taken from the Latin word oleum, which means oil. The reasons for marking the static pressure tube of a Pitot tube " Top " are probably found in practical considerations of connecting the two tubes to the indicator instrument. E. W. W. (Coventry). With regard to the starting system employed for the engines of a Zeppelin, it is possible that the action of the pump men, tioned in our description was not, as wc stated, a positive one forcing an explosive mixture into the cylinders, but started the engine, as you suggest, by drawing air from the exhaust pipes through the open exhaust and inlet valves, thus causing a partial vacuum in the cylinders and drawing a mixture up through the inlet pipes. Arrangements were certainly provided for raising all the valves, a fact which would appear to confirm your theory. In that case provision must have been made for closing up the open end of the exhaust collector or silencer, as otherwise the pump would simply draw air in through this open end instead of through the engine. At the time of inspecting the wreck we were informed that the action of the pump was as described in the article dealing with the "L.33." With regard to the spiral "something" &3 in the right hand bottom corner of one of our photographs of the wreck, this wc are not at liberty to discuss at present J.H.H. (Itchen). Steel propellers are not. as far as we know, in general use in this country, and we do not know of any mu.nufac.tu er turning out propellers of this description. We presume that what you have in mind is some form of propeller made up of thin steel sheeting, double surfaced to give the proper aerofoil section, and not the steel propeller of old with two Mat plates for blades. Of books dealing with the theory and design of propellers we can recommend " Air Screws," by M. A. S. Riach, published at 10s. 6d. net, which wc ean supply post free at 10s. ] id. F. B. (Beverley). You might be able to pick up a good second-hand parachute for about ^10. A parachute about 24 ft. in diameter would carry a man of 12J stone. Possibly Messrs. C. G. Spencer and Sons, 46A, Highbury Grove, London, N., would be able to help you. A. N. W. (Southampton). When first accepted for the K.N.A.S. an officer is knows as a " Probationary Flight Officer," but on being confirmed iu his rank he becomes a " Flight-Sub-I.icutenant." G.C. B. (Broadstairs). From the brief particulars you give, it would seem that the flying boat is a F.B.A., the successor of the Donnet-Le»eq*t! system. A. G. B. (Beckenham). We regret that, under the Defence of the Realm Act, it is impossible to publish the particulars you desire. W. J. C. B. (Seven Kings). You should apply to the Officer Commanding, R.F.C. Depot, Farnborough. R. C. B. (North Finchley). (1) Eighteen. (2) Director-General of Military Aeronau tics, Adastral House, London, E.C. (3) By letter. CM. (Cork). Get the necessary forms from filling them up send them to the Admiralty, S.W. S. B. A. (Hull). There is a Cadet Corps for the "R.F.C., apply to Adastral House for full particulars. Airman (Portsmouth). The pay of an officer in the R.F.C. when training is ys. (id. a day. When appointed Flying Officer it is 12s. a day, plus 8s. a day flying pay. He flies as often as he is ordered to do so. J.S.U. (Selby). See reply to W. J. C. B. (Seven Kings). J.H.A. (Huddersfield). See reply to C. M. (Cork). We do not think your age would bar you. N. W. (Newport, Mon.). The minimum age is 18. H. J. W. (Cradley Heath) You would be trained the Admiralty, and after Director of Air Services, and you should at a experience should certainly naval flying help you. Get school. Your the necessary forms from the Admiralty, and after filling them up send them to the Director of Air Services, Admiralty, S.W. A Probationary Flight Officer receives 10s. a day and 45. a day for flying risk while learning to fly ; when confirmed in the rank of Flight-Sub-Lieut, he receives a further 4s. a day making 18s. od. in all.
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
