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Aviation History
1927
1927 - 0434.PDF
ControllabilityThree substantially independent controls, corresponding to three axes mutually at right angles, are necessary, which mustcontinue to be substantially independent and collectively effective in the same direction at any attitude of the machinefrom that at maximum level flying speed to that at the steepest glide and at any throttle opening of the engine or engines.It must be demonstrated that there is not a complete loss of control when any particular attitude is reached, such asthat which follows in stalling. There must be demonstrated the effectiveness of each andall controls at any speed and at any attitude from that of maximum level flying speed to that at the steepest glide andat any throttle opening, the tests being definite and sharp movements of any controls resulting in corresponding definiterotations about the respective axes. Controls must not only be effective in producing disturbances of attitude but alsoin enabling rapid and definite recovery to be made from dis- turbances. The effectiveness of any one control or com-bination of two controls when the other control or controls are left free or held in a fixed position must be shown, and pos-sibly in gust\- weather as with the other tests. Manoeuvring in Restricted Area and on the GroundA square plot, 500 ft. by 5C0 ft., will be marked off and considered as surrounded by an obstruction 25 ft. high alongits entire boundary. The take-off shall be in any manner and a climb made either above the square plot or outside it,providing the machine passes above the imaginary boundary obstruction. The engine may be switched off at any timeand the pilot must land within the square plot without pass- ing through the imaginary boundary obstruction. For theground test a demonstration is required of taxi-ing under own power without any external assistance in any directionin a wind whose mean speed at ground level is at least 20 m.p.h. Easy handling on the ground is another necessity. How Points are GainedIn the speed tests two points will be awarded for every mile per hour less than 35 m.p.h. at which level controlledflight can be maintained—the maximum number of points obtainable being ten ; four points for every mile per hourless than 38 m.p.h. which is not exceeded in a steady con- trolled glide during a period of 3 minutes-maximum pointsbeing 24. Any machine which obtains a combined total of at least 24 points under these tests will be eligible to receivepoints for high speed in excess of 110 m.p.h. as follows: one point for every 2 m.p.h. in excess of 110 m.p.h. at whichlevel flight can be maintained ; maximum points being 10. In the landing tests there will be two points for every 3 ft.less than 100 ft. in coming to rest after first touching ground—• maximum points being 40. For landing in a confined spacethere will be one point for every 2ft. less than 300 ft. from the JUNE 16, 1927 base of an obstruction 35 ft. high in coming to rest after glidingin over the obstruction—maximum points being 75. In the take-off test there will be one point for every 15 ft. less than300 ft. required to take off from standing start—maximum points being 15 ; and one point for every 10 ft. less than 500ft. to clear obstruction 35 ft. high from a standing start—- maximum points being 26. The number of points obtainablethen amount to 200. Thi* concludes the test and awards. Conditions There are naturally certain conditions to be observed bycompetitors when submitting their machines to the official tests in New York, all of which do not require detailing assome will be quite understood. It is just a matter of neces- sary procedure for the harmony of the competition. Oneor two interesting points, however, are that aviation fuel of standard quality will be supplied free of charge, but anotherfuel may be used provided it was used in the official trials of the engine employed. Also, it may be necessary to demon-trate a machine by the competitor's own pilot prior to tests made by the Fund, otherwise all tests will be made by theFund's pilots, although instructions may be given to these pilots if required by the competitors. Transport andmechanics must be supplied by the competitors and main- tained at their expense. Three fair attempts will be allowedfor passing any test and alterations to machines may be approved, but it may entail requalification in any or all ofthe tests. The same design of propeller must be used through- out. Propeller blade settings must be the same except thata pitch-varying mechanism may be used if it can be operated from the pilot's cockpit during flight. An interesting pointto remember is that in the case of a machine which departs radically from conventional practice in securing flight therequirements of the competition that are consequently im- possible of attainment may be substituted by other testswhich will satisfy the object of the competition. Prizes The winner of the competition will receive §100,000,which will include the safety prize if previously received ; and five others will receive $10,000 each in the order of thepresentation of their machines for the tests and which have satisfied the safety tests detailed above under that heading.The Fund will consider applications for special grants to assist in the cost of transporting duly accepted entries to the test-ing field near New York City on the basis of $1 per mile in excess of 1,000 miles up to a maximum of $2,000 for anycontestant. The award of prizes will not entail the abandon- ment of any proprietary rights on the part of the contestant,but the Fund shall have the right to disseminate complete information pertaining to the machines in any it sees fit.Heavier-than-air designs from any country are eligible. The Royal Air Force DisplayA THRILLING " Set Piece " has been arranged for the RovalAir Force Display at Hendon on July 2. This will take the form of another of those Eastern dramas in which the R.A.F.have proved so efficient. Briefly, the story goes thus : a small community of European missionaries and traders areestablished in an Eastern town—which, by the way, is being built on the 'drome mainly out of scrap aircraft—when a waveof unrest sweeps over the country. Trouble then breaks out in the town and the Europeans are isolated in an old mud fort.Patrolling R.A.F. aircraft observe their signal of distress, whereupon the pilot calls for assistance by radio-telephony(this will be broadcast on the ground by loud speakers). Meanwhile the Europeans manage to escape, under heavyhostile fire, into open country, and then No. 12 Squadron, with Fairey " Fox " day bombers arrive and attack the townwith bombs, and engage the natives with machine-gun fire. After several such attacks the town is destroyed by fire, whilstaeroplanes from the two London Auxiliary Air Force Defence Squadrons arrive (from London ?) and drop food, water andammunition by parachute to the Europeans. Shortly after- wards a relief force arrives in two Vickers " Victoria " troop-carriers, and while this force attacks the enemy on the ground, the women and children emplane and the " Victorias " flyaway with them to safety. This event, it may be mentioned, will be broadcast by the B.B.C., as well as two other events—the destruction of a Kite Balloon and the air battle for London, in which 30 aircraft will take part. Air Marshal Sir JohnSalmond, A.O.C.-in-Chief, Air Defences of Great Britain, will also deliver a broadcast address about the Display from SavoyHill on Saturday evening, June 18. The Royal Aero Club has been allotted a reserved space inthe 10i. enclosure at Hendon, and tickets of admission to the display for the 10s. and 5s. enclosure may also be obtainedfrom the Royal Aero Club. The Club will serve a limited number of luncheons and teas in the enclosure and membersare requested to notify the Club if they wish to avail themselves of these facilities. The Aldershot Tattoo THEIR Majesties the King and Queen hope to be presentat the final performance of the Aldershot Command Search- light Tattoo, which is being held at Rushmoor, on June 18.In this year's Tattoo, as on previous occasions, a grand historic military spectacle is presented as the principal item.This time it is the famous Battle of Blenheim, when in 1704 the Duke of Marlborough, by his victory over MarshalTallard's army, saved Europe from the dominion of Loins XIV. It is a thrilling spectacle, being both realistic anilexact in every detail—thanks to the supervision of Capt H. Oakes-Jone's, who is, perhaps, the greatest living authoritvon military history. The drill, uniforms, and equipment o. both armies are presented exactly as they were in 1704 -in fact, a cannon of that period, lent by the present Duke << Marlborough, are used in the attack. By way of a con-trast, this event is followed immediately by a lightnn;;-, presentation of a modern battle, with its tanks, aircra'- ,motor artillery, infantry motor transport, etc. On tr. musical side, the massed bands again give the evc-popular Tchaikowsky's " 1812," while over 100 horseiw* take part in a mammoth musical ride. Perhaps the mos-impressive and picturesque item is the display by masse Pipers. 396
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