FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1921
1921 - 0277.PDF
APRIL 21, 1921 THE PASSAT " HELITHOPTER" HELICOPTERS, which are very much in the air—literally just now, are not the only rivals to more orthodox methods in the present field of aeronautical development. M. Passat, who has been experimenting with ornithopters for a consider- able number of years, is now at work on a new type of machine, which he aptly calls a " Helithopter "—a sort of crossbreed between a helicopter and an ornithopter. We understand that M. Passat, as a result of his past experiments—which, we may mention, have been recorded in FLIGHT on various occasions since 1909—with the latter type of machine, has come to the conclusion that the mechanical difficulties are, at present, against the successful realisation of the flapping wing machine. Although he actually got his last ornithopter to lift, he had to abandon further trials owing to the constant mechanical defects which occurred, due to the various strains set up. Nevertheless, he has, he says, obtained much valuable data which are aiding him considerably in his present experi- ments. We do not, at present, propose to describe this new " Helithopter " in detail, but will only just briefly refer to the principle employed. When inspecting the experimental machine, which is fitted with a 10 h.p. A.B.C. 2-cyl. engine, and is very roughly and simply designed and constructed— and here we think M. Passat would rind it much to his advantage if he reconstructed the machine on improved lines before continuing further experiments—we must admit we were somewhat impressed with the demonstrations given us. Briefly, the machine consists of four bird-like wingsarranged radially on a shaft driven by the engine. A simple—and, we should think, quite a practical—camarrangement turns each wing, as the whole revolves, in such a way that on its down stroke it is in a horizontal position,whilst on the up stroke it " feathers " with its leading edge in the direction of motion. The result is that, according tothe angle at which the wing is set, an upward or forward thrust is obtained. In the demonstrations referred to above,when the little A.B.C. was speeded up, the wings pulled the machine—or more strictly speaking the wooden scaffoldon wheels carrying engine and wings—forward with apparent ease. There appeared to be, also, a distinct tendency to liftin a vertical direction. M. Passat tells us that he obtains a lift of well over 200 lbs. and a forward thrust of 75 lbs.with the 10 h.p. engine. In the full-sized machine it is proposed to provide two or more pairs of wing-units, arrangedon the port and starboard sides of the body. When all wing-units are working direct vertical lift is obtained, butslowing down the forward ones will cause the nose of the machine to drop, and a forward motion results. Although M. Passat has many difficulties yet to overcome,he has undoubtedly hit on a very interesting problem, and one that certainly deserves further investigation. We shallwatch future developments closely, and hope presently to give our readers further particulars. ROYAL AIR FORCE MEMORIAL FUND A MEETING of the Executive Committee of the above Fundwas held at the offices of the Fund, 7, Iddesleigh House, Caxton Street, on the 14th inst., Lord Hugh Cecil in theChair. The members of the Committee present were :— Lady Leighton, Dame Helen Gwynne-Vaughan, Mrs.Barrington Kennett, Sir Charles McLeod, Air Vice-Marshal A. V. Vyvyan, H. E. Perrin, Esq., and W. S. Field, Esq. The list of donations received since the last meeting, onthe 10th March, showed the sum of ^1,005 15. id. as having been raised, which was regarded as very satisfactory. The amount of Grants made since the same date amountedto the sum of ^104 14s. id., in addition to which the Officers Association have been reimbursed by a considerable Grantin aid of assistance given by that Association, on behalf of this Fund, to ex-officers, R.A.F., and their dependents. The constitution of a newly appointed sub-committee todeal with cases of appeal from the rank and file, and widows and orphans, was reported to consist of the following :— Mr. H. E. Perrin (Chairman), Mr. W. S. Field, Mrs. L. M. K.Pratt-Barlow, and Wing-Commander Sidney Smith, D.S.O. This sub-committee meets fortnightly and assists theSecretary in making grants in cases where he has not found himself able to dispose of the case, by a small grant, in themeantime. The Committee approved of the purchase of a Presentationat the Royal School for Daughters of Officers of the Army, Bath, the Presentation costing ^240, in addition to which^20 per annum will be paid in fees, and extras up to £y 10s. per annum. The child selected must be the daughter of anOfficer of the Air Force who has held previous commissioned rank in the Army or Royal Marines. It is hoped to placea suitable candidate at the School in the Autumn of 1922. The Secretary reported that Messrs. Hampton and Sonshad found themselves able to dispose of " Heath End," Ascot, for the sum of ^6,000. The second list of subscriptions and donations to the Fundwill be published in a few days' time in the newspapers, and will embrace the period from the 21st July, 1920, to the31st March, 1921. ROYAL AIR FORCE NURSING SERVICE REGULATIONS regarding conditions of service in the Royal Air Force-Nursing Service, which was established by Royal Warrant on January 27, 1921, have been issued. The Service consists of a Matron-in-Chief, Matrons, Senior Sisters, Sisters and Staff Nurses. Candidates are required to join as Staff Nurses, and appointments, which are subject to a satisfactory probationary period of six months, are given to approved persons of British parentage, over 25 and under 35 years of age, who possess a certificate of training for at least three years at a large Civil hospital in the United Kingdom. The salaries of the various grades are as follows :— Staff Nurses .. £60 per annum, rising by annual incre-ments of £2 10s. to £65. Sisters . . £75 per annum, rising by annual incre- ments of £5 to £85. Senior Sisters £85 per annum, rising by annual incre-ments of ^10 to ^95. Matrons .. £115 per annum, rising by annualincrements of £10 to £185. In addition, charge pay, not exceeding £4.5 per annum, is granted to matrons according to the magnitude of their charges, and a weekly allowance of 24s. 6d. to all members in lieu of board and washing. Furnished quarters, fuel, light and attendance are normally provided, but where this is notthe case an allowance in lieu is granted. An initial grant of £20 is made toward the cost of purchaseof the prescribed uniform which members are required always to wear when on duty and when attending official or publicentertainments, and an upkeep allowance of £5 for the second year and £10 for the third and subsequent years. Members of the Royal Air Force Nursing Service mayretire at the age of 50 or after 20 years' service, and retirement is compulsory at the age of 55. Retired pay, based onservice and rank, is issued up to the following maximum rates, which are subject to revision in five years' time :— Matrons, ^170 ; Sisters, ^75 ; Staff Nurses, £55.Members employed in the Royal Air Force Temporary Nursing Service and previously employed in the Navy orArmy Nursing Service may count the period of such service toward retired pay. A nurse with less than ten years' service will not be eligiblefor retired pay, but provision is made for the issue, under certain conditions, of retired pay and gratuities in the eventof such service being terminated owing to disablement, sickness or unfitness. Full particulars of the Service and forms of application forappointment may be obtained from the Matron-in-Chief, Air Ministry, Kingsway, London, W.C. 2. 277
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
