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Aviation History
1920
1920 - 1010.PDF
HT exhaustive tests, to standardise the types and order in quantities. Aircraft, it is set forth in the official memorandum on the subject, will be used very extensively in opening up and developing comparatively unexplored land. Their work will fall into two main categories— photographic exploration and forest protection, The requirements which the Canadian Air Board con- siders essential are fully set forth in the memorandum already referred to. They are severe, as is called for by the nature of the work to be assigned to them, but not impossibly so. Indeed, the specifications appear to be drawn with an eye to encouragement rather than, as is too often the. case in these matters, with an almost obvious desir.e to deter designers from competing in the effort to obtain orders. They certainly seem to manifest a sincere attempt on the part of the Dominion Government and its" advisers to take advantage of the facilities offered by aircraft for the exploration and development of difficult country. ^" The Government is to be greatly congratulated for its ready grasp of the possibilities of aircraft for opening up hitherto little known parts of the Dominion, which would in all probability lie fallow for many decades were it not for the progressiveness demonstrated by the new policy. If the latter is successful, as weyhave no doubt it must be, the Dominion will belaid under a debt to the aeroplane and the seaplane in the paying of which a struggling industry will benefit largely. There is not a little comfort, too, in the reflection that it will be the British industry which, initially at any, rate, will mostly benefit. Canada created an aircraft industry during the War, but it was purely an emergency industry and never became fully fledged. In course of time she will probably be able to build all the aircraft she needs for her own use, but in the mean- SEPTEMBER 23 1920 time she will probably have to draw her supplies either from ourselves or from America. It is some- thing to be thankful for that the British industry—- denied that measure of encouragement which was promised and which, after its services to the Empire during the War, it had a right to expect—has not fallen on such evil days that it cannot fulfil the demands that are likely to be made upon it by the northern Dominion,' whose example we should very much like to see-followed by others of our overseas possessions. • • • In regard to the specifications issued .^fi16 f kv the Canadian Air Board these do peci c no£ cajj jor any comrnent except in one particular direction. The endurance asked for, it will be noticed, is 10 hours at cruising speed. In the case of the single-engined aeroplane this en- durance is coupled with a demand for accommodation for three passengers in addition to the pilot, and a maximum speed of at least 120 m.p.h., all on one Rolls-Royce ." Eagle " engine. Now to attain this speed an engine loading of approximately 10 lbs. per h.p. is all that can be allowed. After estimating the weight of petrol necessary for 10 hours' flying, the weight of pilot and passengers, and the weight of the engine itself, it is found that only a few hundred pounds remain for the weight of the machine itself. Frankly we think that either the endurance demand must be reduced, or the maximum speed lowered to about 100 m.p.h. before such a machine becomes a practical proposition. At 100 m.p.h. the power loading can be about 17 lbs. per h.p., which is a much -more reasonable proposition, leaving a fair weight for the aeroplane itself. Failing to modify its requirements in one or other of the two directions indicated, we are afraid that the Canadian Air Board will have to wait a long time for tenders. , THE AIR CONFERENCE, 1920 OWING to the rapidly-increasing importance of avia- tion, the variety and complexity of the problems facing thosej-rffterested in its development, and the desirability of an examination of the present situa- . tion and a mutual exchange of opinions on the sub- ject, it is now officially announced that the Air Council has decided to call together an Air Con- ference, Its more immediate object will be to bring representative members of all sections of the community into contact with the practical work being done today with a view to assisting future progress. In view of the nature of this Conference, the Lord Mayor has kindly granted the Air Ministry permission to hold it in the Council Chamber of the Guildhall, London, and has also consented to open the pro- ceedings on the first day. It will take place on October 12, 13 and 14, 1920, attendance being by invitation. The following have kindly consented to take the Chair on the three days respectively :— First day : The Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. Second day : The Lord Weir of Eastwood. Third day : Admiral of the Fleet, Earl Beatty. First Day.—The subject for consideration on the first day will be Civil Aviation. One paper will be read by Major-General Sir Frederick Sykes, G.B.E., K.C.B., C.M.G., Controller-General of Civil Aviation, on the present situation of Civil Air Services, British and foreign, the organisation necessary for success and the prospects for the future. A second will be read by Mr. H. White-Smith, C.B.E., Chairman of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors, dealing with the demands of Civil Aerial Services from the constructional point of view. Second Day.—The second day will be devoted •* to technical questions affecting" both the Civil and the Service sides of the Art. Papers will be read by Air-Vice-Marshal Sir E. L. Ellington, K.C.B., C.M.G., C.B.E., Director-General of Supply and Research, Air Ministry, on the development of aircraft, and by a representative of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Third Day._—On the third day the broader aspects , of Service Aviation will be dealt with at the morning session by Air-Marshal Sir H. M.- Trenchard, Bart., K.C.B., D.S.O., Chief of the Air Staff, while the subject of Airships, with special reference to their construc- tion and commercial operation, will be taken up in the afternoon by Commander Sir Trevor Dawson, R.N. After each paper has been read the'subject dealt with will be open to discussion by those present. These discussions, it is hoped, will be of value in disseminating a fuller knowledge of the advantages and possibilities of transport by air, and will lead to the more general employment of aircraft in the future. ' . 1012
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