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Aviation History
1924
1924 - 0782.PDF
Fortunately, there are signs that 1925 will see a revival of air racing, and it is to be hoped that those responsible for drawing up the regulations will keep in mind that one of the essential features is to get the general public interested and to plan the rules in such a way that it will not require slide rules and logarithmic tables plus a certain gift for " second sight " to be able to follow the races. The Official Notices of the Royal Aero Club are of more than ordinary interest this week on account of the references to some of the bigger air races and competitions planned for 1925. The King's Cup Race, for instance (which will take place in July), is to be a two-days' affair, and competitors will be required to cover no less than 1,000 miles each day, returning to the starting point on both days. The race is to be from London to Scotland and back, so that it will be realised that if this year's King's Cup Race was a strenuous test, next year's will be even more so. Two thousand miles in something like 24 hours' flying time (assuming that no flying will be permitted between sunset and sunrise) will be a severe test of engines and pilots, and, although the plea might be advanced that the test is too severe, there is the advantage that any team which succeeds in getting through will have accomplished something really worth while, and which will be the finest possible advertisement for machine and engine. Certain changes are to be made in connection with the Aerial Derby, which is to be held on August Bank Holiday. As hitherto, the race will be an international one, but it will be a scratch speed race of 200 miles for machines having a top speed of at least 150 m.p.h. The handicap race for all sorts of machines, which has hitherto always been flown in conjunction with the Aerial Derby itself, is to be abandoned, and its place is to be taken by an international handicap race. Thus the Aerial Derby will be flown by fast machines only, and if a sufficient number of entries can be secured this speed race, the only one of any importance to be held in Great Britain, should gain very con siderably in interest by the proposed arrangements. Unless, however, substantial prizes can be offered there does not appear to be any likelihood of attracting competitors from abroad, and thus the international character of the Aerial Derby would be lost. There is here an excellent opportunity for some wealthy supporter of aviation to come forward with a really attractive prize, and thus do a tremendous amount of good in reviving the interest in high-speed machines. The design, construction and testing of such machines cannot but have a very beneficial effect on the pro duction of fast service machines, and it might therefore, have been thought in the immediate interest of the Air Ministry to offer prizes. Presumably the offer to purchase the winning machine still holds good, but this in itself is not sufficient, and will in no way help to attract foreign competitors, without whom the Aerial Derby cannot hope to become the great British speed event which it should be. Apart from any competition for light 'planes which the Air Minist/y, in conjunction with the Royal Aero Club, may decide to hold, the R.Ae.C. has DECEMBER 18, 1924 decided to hold, during the season, sprint races for light 'planes. These should assist very materially in maintaining the interest in this class of machine, and if a sort of " circus " could be got together, holding sprint races one week-end in London, another in the Midlands, another in the North, and so forth, the general public not only in the London district but all over the country would have an opportunity of becoming familiar with the flying qualities of light 'planes. Remembering how popular were the very modest week-end race meetings at Hen don in the old days, it does appear that regular races for light 'planes would be equally appreciated at the present time, and they could certainly be held at relatively trifling cost. It is also good news to learn that the Royal Aero Club has decided to issue certificates of performance for light 'planes. Exactly what constitutes a light 'plane has not yet been officially decided, but doubtless a ruling on the subject will be given before the commencement of next season's flying. R A r ^n P' ^^ °* *ms week's issue of FLIGHT L.A.S." w^ be f°un(i a brief outline of the Royal Aero Club's scheme for the formation of a Light Aeroplane Section of the Royal Aero Club for the London district. It will be seen that the charges which it is intended to make are extremely moderate : 3 guineas per annum for full membership [i.e., flying members), and 1 guinea per annum for non-flying members. Both subscriptions are so low as to be within the means of almost every one, and there is little doubt that within a very short period the London Light Aeroplane Club will be in a position to show a very full membership. In this connection we would point out that those who have, no intention of taking up actual flying, but who are interested and would like to help the movement, can do so at the infinitesimal cost of 1 guinea, and at the same time will have access to the aerodrome of the Club, and thus will derive, quite apart from the moral satisfaction of helping things along, a great deal of pleasure from visiting the Club's aerodrome seeing the light 'planes fly, possibly go for passenger flights in the Club's light 'planes, and inspecting the work of construction, overhaul and repairs. (Oh, yes, there will be repairs, certainly.) We, therefore, appeal to our readers to subscribe their guinea as soon as possible. Let us make up our minds that we are going to make the London Light 'Plane Club a huge success, and let us try to make it, within the next few months, the largest light 'plane club in the world. Write today to the Secretary of the Royal Aero Club, 3, Clifford Street, London, W. 1, for particulars and application form. Owing to the Christmas Holidays, all Editorial and Advertisement matter for the issue dated December 25 must reach the offices of FLIGHT, 36, Great Queen Street, Kingsway, W.C. 2, by first post on Saturday, December 20. 44 FLIGHT" AT THE PARIS AERO SHOW Arrangements have been made for FLIGHT to be on sale in the Grand Palais during the French Aero Exhibition. Our stand is in the gallery, at the Champs-Elysees end of the building, and visitors wishing to leave messages relating to Editorial or Advertising matters should hand them to the Attendant. 782
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