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Aviation History
1923
1923 - 0686.PDF
NOVEMBER 8, 1923 LIGHT 'PLANE AND GLIDER NOTES . Those wishing to get in touch with others interested in matters relating to gliding ana the construction of gliders are invited to write to the Editor of FLIGHT, who will be pleased to pubhsu such communications on this page, in order to bring iogethet those who would like to co-operate, either in forming glidine clubs or in private collaboration. . _. AT a recent meeting of the Association Fran^-aisc Ae'rienn6 in Paris the holding, in 1924, of a Tour de France for light aeroplanes was discussed, and it was decided to hold the competition on or about August 10, 1924. It was also decided to make the competition international. The actual rules have not yet been definitely decided upon, but it seems likely that a formula will be used in judging the competing machines. No distinction will be made in the classifica- tion between single- seaters and two- seaters, except that one engine cylinder capacity will be used for the one and an- other for the other type, while consump- tion limits will be imposed in elimina- tion trials before the actual competition. * * # COMPETING ma- chines must have obtained their air- worthiness certificate from the Service de la Navigation Ae'rienne (for French ma- chines) cr a similar institution in foreign countries. Inthecase of British machines the Air Ministry air- worthiness certificate would be required, although it seems probable that, should British competitors prefer to obtain the S.N.Ae. certificate they would be per- mitted to do so. The A.F.A. is requesting the S.N.Ae. to issue a special certificate for light aeroplanes, after consultation with, and on the advice of, the Section Technique. » • • THE start for the Tour de France will be simultaneous for all the competing machines, which will be lined up with engines stopped, so that after the starting signal has been given any time spent in starting the engines will count as flying time. At the intermediate aerodromes competitors will be started off again in the order of their arrival. Landings between the com- pulsory halts are permitted, as is also replenishment of fuel. * * * THE weight of the pilot must be made up to a minimum of 75 kilos. (165 lbs.), and in the case of two-seaters the combined weight of pilot and passenger must be made up to a minimum of 150 kilos. (330 lbs.). The passenger may be changed at the compulsory halts, but the new passenger must then be weighed so as to ensure that his weight is not less. The D.H.53 light monoplane "stunting" at Hendon meeting. f<^r approval, and the Under Secretary of State for Air, M. Laurent E--nac, will br asked to let J1 ' *o great institutions- ^ch he represents, the Section i jue and the S.N.Ae., take part in the organisation of th- Competition. * * • THE Tour de France should afford a good opportunity to British constructors to participate in an international event, and from the performances attained at Lympne one has little doubt that British machines would acquit themselves credit- ably in competition with the machines of other countries. * * * ALTHOUGH Germany led the way in the matter of gliding it is a remarkable fact that but little pro- gress has been made there with the logical development — the Hght aeroplane. A few experiments, about which but little became known out- side those directly concerned, were made last year with the Budig machine, several illustrations of which were pub- lished in our issue of January 4, 1923. Now comes news from Germany that the Aachener Segel- flugzeugbau G.m.b.H have produced a light monoplane on which during the latter part of September and the beginning of October Herr Cand. Ing. Hoppe made several, successful flights. This machine is a semi-cantilever high- wing monoplane, with back-swept wing tips and simple external bracing consisting of a single strut on each side, running from the bottom rail of the fuselage to the front spar. The wing span is 13 metres (42 ft. 7 ins.) and the wing area 15 sq. m. (161-5 sq. ft.). The engine is of 8 h.p- The machine proved to get off quite- quickly, and had a rate of climb (initial) of about 1 metre per second (200 ft./min.), while the top speed was in the neighbourhood of 70 km. (43 -4 m.p.h.). WHILE on the subj ect of German gliders and light 'planes, it may be of interest to give a brief account of a very fine flight made by Herr Bottsch on the Darmstadt glider " Konsul," during which a distance of 19 km. (11 -8 miles) was covered in a cross-country flight. The flight took plaee on September 29, but it is not until now that authentic information relating to it has become available. THE wings, fuselage, engine crank-case, and cylinders will be stamped and sealed. All other parts may be replaced. When all the rules have been finally decided upon they will be submitted to the Commission Sportive of the French Aero Club STARTING from the top of the Wasserkuppe in the Khorr mountains, Herr Bottsch circled over his starting point several times, and then, rinding that conditions appeared favourable, he decided to attempt a cross-country flight. Two routes presented themselves, one to the north and the other to the west. Herr Bottsch decided in favour of the latter. Skirting the hill sides he flew over Poppenhausen, Gersfeld, Liitter, and. Rothemann, and finally landed at Kerzell, where he would 686
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