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Aviation History
1926
1926 - 0279.PDF
APRIL 22, 1926 THE FRENCH LIGHT 'PLANE COMPETITION International Meeting to be held August 9 to 15 WHETHER by design or accident we do not know, but it is a fortunate fact that this year the French and British light 'plane meetings do not seem to clash, as they have done in previous years. It will thus be possible for British light 'planes to take part in the International Light 'Plane Com- petition, which is to be held at one of the Paris aero- dromes from August 9 to 15. The British Light 'Plane Competition for the Daily Mail Prize will not, we understand, be held until some time during September. Whereas the British competition is for British machines only, the French is international, all nations being eligible which are members of the F.A.I. There is no restriction on engine power in the French competition, but fuel economy is the basis upon which the various tests mainly depend, so that in this way it is believed that engine size and power will automatically be restricted to reasonable limits. Before the actual technical tests commence, competing machines will be required to pass a set of eliminating tests, and previous to that again they will be expected to possess an airworthiness certificate issued in their own country. The competition, which is known as the Concours d'Avions Economiqucs, will be organised by the French Aerial Associa- tion (/'Association 1 rancaise Aericnne), under the patronage of the French Under-Secretary of State for Air, M. Laurent Eynac, and prizes totalling 150,000 francs will be given. The entries list is now open, and entries will be received up to June 28, 1926, the closing hour being 6 p.m. Entries should be sent to VAssociation Iranqaise Aerienne, 40, Quai des Celestins, Paris (4e). The competition will be held under the general rules of the French Aero Club and the Federation Acronautiquc Internationale. Both single-seater and two-seater machines are admitted to the competition, the only stipulation being that in the case of single-seaters the pilot must weigh not less than, or his weight be made up to, 80 kilos (176 lbs.). In the case of two-seaters the combined weight of pilot and passenger must be not less than, or made up to, 160 kilos (352 lbs.). It is also stipulated that in the case of two-seaters both seats must be occupied throughout the competition. The competition will be divided into two sections : the eliminating trials and the actual technical tests. In each test a competitor will be entitled to three tries, the best of the three being used for judging. Competing machines must be presented on the aerodrome (the name of which will be announced later) not later than August 9, before 3 p.m. The competition will be open from 8 a.m. on August 10, the eliminating trials being held on August 10 and 11, and the actual competition on August 12, 13, 14 and 15. Repairs will be permitted during the competition, with the following reservations :—Machines may be presented with spare propellers, the total number of propellers not being permitted to exceed three for each engine. As it is doubtful whether any twin-engined machines will take part (although it is. of course, possible that the little de Monge twin-engined monoplane may be entered), this means one propeller and two spares for each machine. It is stipulated that the propellers must be identical, so that competing machines will not be allowed to use one type for the climbing test and another type for the speed test.' The propellers will be stamped and will be in the custody of the organisers, from whom the stamped spares will have to be obtained. None but stamped spares may be used, and before obtaining a spare propeller a competitor will be required to hand over the propeller he has been using. Petrol tanks may not be changed during the competition, and all tanks will be stamped, as will also the crankcases of the engines, and the wings and fuselages of the machines, which must not be changed. Everything else may, apparently, be changed or repaired, such as tails, under- carriages, tail skids, engine cylinders and pistons, &c. All tests are to be carried out with a fuel the density of which lies between 740 and 680. Eliminating Tests (August 10 and 11) The conditions governing the eliminating tests are as follows :—A competing machine must first cover a distance, in a closed circuit, of 50 km. (31 miles) above the aero- drome, and must conclude this flight with a climb to 1,000 metres (3,280 ft.), no landing being made between the two and the total time allowed not exceeding 1 hr. 30 mins. In this test the amount of fuel used must not exceed 8 kilos (17-6 lb.) for single-seaters, and 14 kilos (30-8 lbs.) for two- seaters. The 50 km. circuit will be represented by several laps around the aerodrome, pylons marking the course, and must be flown at an altitude of less than 200 m. (660 ft.) before commencing the climb test. After the completion of the climb test machines must land inside a radius of 300 m. from the starting point. Before commencing a test a competitor must empt/y his tanks, piping, carburettor, etc., and the tanks will then be filled from weighed and sealed tins. After completing the test the tanks are again emptied, the difference between the fuel put in and that taken out being, of course, the amount of fuel used during the test. Sealed barographs for registering the climb to 1,000 m. will be supplied by the organisers, who will look after their mounting on the machines and their removal after the tests. The Award of Marks For the purpose of judging machines, marks will be awarded, the winner being the competitor obtaining the highest aggregate of marks. The award of marks falls under two headings, one of which will be for certain " qualities," the other for " performance." Under the former heading marks will be awarded as follows : 20 marks will be awarded for machines of all-metal construction (including covering) ; 20 marks will be awarded for all-wood machines (including covering) ; 10 marks for special precautions against fire, such as fitting of fireproof bulkheads, tanks placed far from engine and pilot, carrying of fire extinguishers, etc. If a machine carries a parachute for each occupant 5 marks will be awarded. (Few will probably care to try to gain these marks.) Twenty marks will be awarded for starting of the engine without external aid. To qualify for these 20 marks, the engine must be started by the pilot, three times within 15 minutes, the engine being kept running for at least 1 minute after each start. The first start must l,e made " from cold." For " performance " marks will be awarded for :—(a) climb to 2,000 m. (6,560 ft.) ; (b) landing test ; (<) take-oft test ; (d) dismantling and re-erecting ; (e) ::.pecd over 200 km. (124 miles). The Actual Competition (August 12, 13, 14 and 15) (a) Climb to 2,000 m. (6,560 //.).—Competitors must reach an altitude of 2,000 m. above the starting point, as deter- mined by the sealed barograph to be carried. After the test competitors must land within a distance of 500 m. from the starting point. A competitor who has reached the stipu- lated altitude will receive 20 marks, plus 1 mark for every- minute less than 40 minutes occupied in reaching 2,000 m. (b) Landing Test.—This will consist in alighting over an obstacle 5 m. (16 ft. 6 in.) high, and pulling up in the shortest distance beyond the obstacle. This distance must not exceed 350 m., and must be inside a trapeze having sides measuring 100 m. by 50 m. (the obstacle line) with a distance of 350 m. between the parallel sides. Competitors who have landed inside this trapeze will receive 10 marks, plus 1 mark for every 10 m. less than the 350 m. permitted. Machines must not receive serious damage in alighting during this test, and must be able to fly away again after a maximum stop of one hour, keeping the air for at least 5 minutes after getting away. (c) Taking-off Test.—For this test machines will be placed on the starting line, with their tail skids on the line, and the run required before the wheels definitely leave the ground will be measured. This distance must not exceed 300 m. The machines must, in addition, clear an obstacle 2 m. (6 ft.) high placed 400 m. from the starting line. Competitors who leave the ground in less than the 300 m. will receive 10 marks, plus 1 mark for every 10 m. less than 300 m. (d) Dismantling and Erecting Test.—F'or this test machines must be presented to the judges erected and ready for flight. The machine has to be dismantled in such a manner that it will pass, resting on its wheels, through an opening measur- ing 3 m. (9-84 ft.) wide, by 3-5 m. (11 ft. 6 in.) high, by 10 m. long. The machine must then be re-erected and make a flight of at least 5 minutes' duration. The folding and erecting must be done by not more than four persons, and must not occupy more than two hours, this not including the five minutes' flight. A competitor who passes the test inside the 247
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