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Aviation History
1927
1927 - 0614.PDF
AUGUST 11, 1927 PRIVA FLYING A Section of FLIGHT in the Interests of the Private Owner, Owner-Pilot, and Club Member PRIVATE FLYING FIELD EQUIPMENT By"GWAMP" OUR contributor, "Gwamp," is a private owner, who, accord- ing to our first list, owns G-EBPJ, an Avro 548, and he uses two fields for his aerodrome at week-ends. Whilst appreciat- ing flying, he has discovered a few disadvantages, for which he gives below a few practical and simple remedies.—ED.] :— The private aeroplane owner, who makes practical use of his machine at week-ends and on summer evenings, will find himself flying frequently to the same places. Often his destination will not be a recognised aerodrome, but a con- make the top bearing round the pivot, to reach past D, E, then to form one of the ring stays E, A, and finally to make the ring itself and finish at A. The other end of the wire should run from the nut to the lower pivot, bearing then past D, E to make the second ring stay, ending at B. The third ring support can be added afterwards starting at I) and ending at C. Care should be taken that the turns forming the pivot bearing will turn freely on the nail. It is a good thing to 10"NAIL FIG. i. \ FI6.2. NUT OR PIECE OF LEAD AS™fE™ BALANCE WASHER WE|GHT D 72" venient field which he may own or have permission to land on. Fortunately the law imposes no restrictions on the use of such fields as private aerodromes, provided that they are not used for commercial purposes. The owners are therefore at libertv to make what dispositions they like for their own convenience or that of such visitors as Mr. Motthews, Miss MacAvion or Captain FitzWidgeon. Perhaps the first addition to be suggested is a " wind sausage." It is surprising how little smoke is to be seen in country districts on a Saturday afternoon. And as private fieldsjare not always of ideal shape or proportions, reliable wind them round a stair-rod or something slightly thicker than the nail. The sausage itself should be made of fairly light linen material cut out to this shape (Fig. 2). Fair fingers can usually be found to make this in stripes of different-coloured stuffs which undoubtedly improves the Ksthetic effect and, incidentally, the visibility. When the side AB has been sewn to the side CD, the end BC should be bound firmly to the wire ring. The small end should, of course, be left open. The sausage should be mounted on a pole at least IS ft. indication of wind conditions is often welcome to the amateur pilot. It is easy to make one at the cost of a few shillings. The following method (Fig. 1) has been used by the author with quite satisfactory results. The framework is made of galvanised wire such as is used in single strands for cattle fences. It is worth while to use some design such as that illustrated to ensure that the sausage fills easily and doesn't get wrapped round the staff. The diagram is self-explanatory. In making this, it is best to start with the nut or counter- poise weight and to leave one end of the wire long enough to high and 50 yards from any high trees or buildings which could " blanket " it. The nail should be driven exactly vertically into the top of the pole, a washer being inserted below the lower bearing, so that the frame can revolve per- fectly freely. Chocks Excellent portable chocks can now be bought, but owing to their light weight something stronger and heavier is really more practical for flying field use. A simple way to make very useful chocks (Fig. 3) is to split a short log of firewood and drive a staple into each half to attach the cord. A pan' 566
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