FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1920
1920 - 1020.PDF
SEPTEMBER 23, 1920 AIRCRAFT FOR CANADA IT is officially announced that the Canadian Air Board has under consideration the purchase of a number of aeroplanes, seaplanes and flying-boats. It is pointed out that as the War-type machines now in the possession of the Canadian Government become obsolete, it is the intention of the Air Board to replace them with the most modern commercial machines available. A certain amount of experimental work must be done to determine the type and kind of aircraft most suitable for the commercial work undertaken in the peculiar conditions prevailing in Canada. The requirements which.the Technical Officers of the Air Board consider should be embodied in accepted types of aircraft are set forth in the attached specifications, and a memorandum by the Superintendent of Flying Operations describes flying conditions and the operations contemplated. It is the policy of the Air Board to purchase one each of -several types of aircraft, and, after exhaustive tests in Canada, to standardise the types found to be most suitable, and to order in quantities. Delivery of machines will be required on or before March 1, 1921. Payment will be made in accordance with standard export practice of cash against bill of lading. Flying Conditions in Canada and Class of Work upon which Aircraft will be Employed Aircraft in Canada will be used very extensively in the opening up and development of comparatively unexplored land. Reference to standard maps will show that develop- ment in Canada has extended mainly east and west along'the International Frontier, and that the development to the north from the boundary is comparatively recent. Thousands of miles of territory within comparatively short distance of the International Boundary Line are unexplored and prac- tically unmapped. It is for the exploration and development of these regions that aircraft is particularly required bv the Canadian Government. The work- of aircraft will fall natur- ally into two branches—photographic exploration and forest protection. For the former a machine will be required that will be capable of making long trips away from its base. It must be remembered that the country over which the machine will be required to fly is extremely rough and uncultivated, and that aerodromes are very few and far between. Hence, it will be necessary for machines of accepted types to have a sufficient supply of fuel to carry them from their base and back without being obliged to land and refuel. It is also essential that engines of the most reliable type are used, as a forced landing in such a country, devoid of railways and roads, would inevitably mean, if repairs could not be effected, the total loss of the machine. The work of forest fire protection also entails long patrols from the base and away from aerodromes. The same con- ditions to a very large extent apply as in the case of photo- graphic exploratory wofk. " A further consideration which must be borne in mind is that the only months free from snow and ice in the northern parts of Canada are April to November. It thus becomes essential that, if aircraft is to operate all the year round, provision must be made for aeroplanes, seaplanes and flying- boats to land on snow and ice. This wirl entail the provision of special under.carriage or rather a chassis arrangement. One of the greatest problems in Canada in this connection is the fact that for a time in the spring, and similarly in the fall, it will be difficult to find either open water for seaplanes to land on or yet ice of sufficient strength to bear the weight of the machine at rest. This brief statement is made in order that it may be possible to appreciate some of the difficulties under which aircraft will operate in Canada, and that provision may be made for the various points in tendering as per the attached specifications. Single-Engine Flying-Boat Hull.—The hull may be of either " box " or " Linton Hope " construction, of diagonal planking, consuta wood, or a combination of both. The hull should be designed to stand more wear and tear than was the case in the War-type flying- boat. The upper works of the hull must conform to the shape of the streamline of the F.5 or similar types. More space is required in a commercial-type flying-boat. It may, there- fore, be found desirable to alter the construction of the upper works from chine to combing. The entire hull should be wood or m«tal construction, provided with bulkheads and drainage system, draining into a well, equipped with sea-cock (Kingston valve) or self-baling cockpit. Provision must be made for stowage. The hull, therefore' must be as free as possible of cross-bracing struts or wires. Provision must be made for landing on snow or ice. Since this type of machine will be used largely in inland waters, a fairly efficient hydroplane surface can be designed. The sharp V-bottom of the F. boats can give place to a more U-like section. It is imperative that the boat be designed to." take off " with a full load from fresh water at an altitude of 3,000 feet above sea-level. Hydroplaning distance per- • ' missible before flying speed attained, 600 yards with full load at 3,000 feet above sea-level. Lifting Surfaces.—Ailerons and rudder should be balanced. Elevator optional. If convenient, arrangements for folding wings can be made; this is desirable. Wing Tip Floats.—All wood construction, with bulkhead and drainage system of plugs. Petrol System.—Petrol to be fed from main to gravity tank by rotary pump. Main tanks to be designed to conform to shape of hull, and to be placed as far as possible under floor- ing. Tanks to be designed so they can be filled rapidly from a central supply. Gravity tank to be placed in centre section . of top plane. ' „ Petrol Capacity.—Tank capacity should be provided for at "';':. least ten hours' flying at cruising speed. •.;'. Engine.—Rolls-Royce VIII " Eagle," modified type. '' _• Cooling System.—Provision should be made for warming oil :'~\;.*- leads and water connections for winter flying. " Radiator.—The control of water temperature should be ": such as to provide against extremes of temperature ranging from 6o° below zero to ioo° in the shade. A large cooling system and radiators with large shutters must be provided. Controls.—Dual control, wheel type. Canopy.—Provision should be made to convert an " open boat " into a cabin type when necessary to protect pilot and crew in winter flying. ' Speed.—Full-out speed not less than 100 m.p.h. Climb.—Rate of climbls of comparatively little importance. It is essential, however, that the first 2,000 feet be climbed r~ rapidly. • Ceiling.—With full load, 14,000 feet. Landing Speed.—As low as is compatible with design. Camera Fitting.—Provision must be made for the installa- "" tion of an aerial camera, operating through an opening in the hull. The opening should be closed by means of a dead-light secured with screw-down thumb-screws or similar means. Single-Engine Aeroplane Fuselage.—Fuselage should be much larger than was pro--:.-"-"' vided in War-type aeroplanes, and should provide accom- modation for pilot and three passengers. Seats in the fuselage should be removable, and space usually occupied by passengers made available for cargo. Under-carriage.—The under-carriage should be designed to provide more strength than was the case in War-type aero- planes. It should be borne in mind that aerodromes in Canada are not so perfect as those in England, and rough landings over uneven ground must be provided against. "Provision must be made for landing on snow or ice. Petrol System.—Petrol system to be designed in such a way as to provide both pressure and gravity feeds. Main tank should be placed between the engine and the pilot. Petrol Capacity.—Tank capacity should be, provided for at least ten hours' flying at cruising speed. Engine.—Rolls-Royce VIII " Eagle," modified type. Cooling System.—Provision should be made for warming oil leads and water connections for winter flying. Radiator.—The control of water temperature should be such as to provide against extremes of temperature ranging from 6o° below zero to ioo° in the shade. A large cooling system and radiators with large shutters must be provided. Controls.—Dual control, stick type. Canopy.—Provision should be made to convert an " open machine " into a cabin type when necessary to protect pilot and crew in winter flying. Factor of Safety.—Not less than eight to one throughout. Loading.—Provision should be made to carry as large a load of cargo as is compatible with other specifica- tions . Speed.—Not less than 120 m.p.h. full out. Climb.—Rate of climb is of comparatively little importance. — It is essential, however, that the first 2,000 feet be climbed rapidly. : Ceiling.—With full load, 14,000 feet. Landing Speed.—As low as is compatible with design. 1022
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
