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Aviation History
1931
1931 - 0790.PDF
FLIGHT. JULY 24, 1931 CoMespoadeuce The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents. The names and addresses of the writersnot necessarily for publication, must in all cases accompany letters intended for insertion in these columns.] GROUND ENGINEER'S EXAMINATION 127561 A very interesting, but argumentative, note has been struck by your correspondent, Mr. C. Arnherst Villiers, in his statement which infers that the majority of ground engineers are incapable of inspecting an aircraft properly, and backs his argument with the knowledge that G.E. examinations are oral instead of being practical. I would like to ask him does the B.O.T. put their candi- dates through a practical test when applying for a 2nd or chief's ticket. I could quote other trades and profes- sions, but I shall not just now, however. I am sorry to hear he failed utterly to gain a licence, although he appears to have impressed the examiners very well. I always try to remember that there never was a man who could not meet his superior in anything, and possibly, instead of being examined, he, the candidate, reversed this order of things. I have not held a licence so very long. I am neither an expert nor a very clever engineer, nor was I brought up with a silver spoon in my mouth; but I have a little notion of the abilities of " experts " and " big noises " in every walk of life, and as for a man handling Curtiss OX and Liberty engines in the middle of the war when only 17 years old, and expecting the modern workman to swallow it, that he knew it all, and still does, requires something more than bombastic talk. He then goes on to lecture the Air Ministry on what they should have, such as blus prints, sclerosoopes, Brinell meters, etc., at exams. We have not all been brought up at " high school," but he must not forget we, at least, I believe, the majority of us poor mugs, know a little bit about such instruments and their uses; and, perhaps, if I was fool enough, I would like to bet that I have seen some few scientific instruments which he in his travels has yet to do. I would finally ask him to answer whether the United States Department of Commerce do things better, and, if so, are all American licensed G.E.'s cleverer by virtue of holding them. I can recollect travelling the length from New York to Texas, and I saw there some good men, some bad and others middling; and last, but not least, I have been on tour now three months, and I am more in need of a small boat or a pair of gum boots at my inspections than scientific instruments, these would be more useful, and I would, if I dare, mention that Mr. Villiers is far too fast for this country. I.ockeed Vegas will convey him to the places he perhaps will get " service." " OBSERVER." Mai ton, Yorks, June 23, 1931.. AIR SIGNALS [2757] It may interest a few of your readers to know that 1 took up with the Air Ministry a modified form of suggested aircraft emergency signals as pointed out in recent letters of mine in FLIGHT. I have now been told tnat the said Ministry are considering them and have taken up with the G.P.O. one of my suggestions, i.e. " That the name or names of all aerodromes be posted in all telephone booths and in all places where telephones are kept for public use." I am to hear their decision in due course. This will be of vast help to pilots who make forced landings, or who have lost their bearings oi wish to deliver an urgent message. Especially will it be useful in cases of serious crashes. With regard to further precautions for the safety of those who fly, I think it would be excellent if all gasometers bore the name of their towns in large white letters visible at a good altitude . . . as is already the case in some districts. Also, I think it would be excel- lent if all railway junctions or large stations carried out this idea in some way, and it would also help if other large factories follow the example of the one at Kingston, which displays the name of its town so as to be visible to pilots in their area. Furthermore, it has been pointed out to me what a splendid thing it would be if all golf courses had a part reserved marked with a white ring to indicate a suitable landing place for aircraft in doubt or distress. Incidentally, a golf course not displaying this ring could be taxed £1 per hole per annum, the money to go to our air services. The pilot landing should, of course pay a small landing fee, and a fine if he comes down else- where than in the prescribed area, for in the latter case he does a large amount of damage to the course. Need- less to say, in the case of an unavoidable crash no fine would be paid. The addition of wind cones and landing lights of a special nature would add to the safety of a pilot wishing to make a forced landing, especially at night time if the cones were of the illuminated variety. Also, it seems to me that tall electric light pylons, high factory- chimney structures, etc., should all be illuminated as a warning to night-time pilots who may, owing to atmo- spherical conditions, be flying at such low altitudes. Wireless masts of the big transmitting stations should also be similarly illuminated. I should be most interested to know if this has already been done. MARY KNIGHTLEY. Golders Green, N.W.ll, May 24, 1931. THE R.A.F. DISPLAY [2758] I have just read Mr. A. G. Ryder's letter in FLIGHT regarding the R.A.F. Display at Hendon this last June. Poor old tiling ; what a grouse he has got—and I came away from Hendon on that memorable Saturday filled with admiration and wonder for all concerned. What matters if it does take one or two hours to get away after seeing such a marvellous show? I never go, nor want to go, there with the intention of going early, so I am never disappointed, and, in fact, stay there for as long as I can. As for the catering there, who cares for food when there is such a grand flying display going on? A parcel of fruit and a bar of chocolate, and what more does one want? And even drink can be brought along if necessary. Our disgruntled friend seems to expect that everything should be faultlessly arranged ; then why did he not do a little arranging himself? I planned to go to Hendon weeks ahead, and booked my seat in the stand. No trouble whatever ; all done by post and kindness. Surely such a show is worth 7s. 6d., and not prohibitive for anyone keen and interested in flying. The weather was perfect on that day ; the flying was perfect, and the arrangements were equally as good, con- sidering the huge crowd to be dealt with. Why worry about those fussy individuals who expect to find a restaurant and bar at every turn, and seats ad lib.? Aviation does not require the support of individuals who do all they can to hinder the Display authorities rather than help them in a sportsmanlike way, for it is just as important for the crowd to help the arrangements to run smoothly as anyone else. It is not likely that future attendances will suffer in the least by the absence of people whose interests are so easily diverted. To criticise the faults of such a vast organisation, where only praise and cheers are due, is only petty. Sugges- tions for improvement would be gladly received, I am sure. And there is no doubt that the Display gets better and better in every way every year. Hats off and three cheers to the R.A.F. Display. R. E. WILCK. London, N.W.5. July 6, 1931. OVERHEAD CABLFS [2759] I have recently done a lot of flying in the neigh- bourhood of Castle Bromwich and Luton ; in both places there are a great number of " high-tension cables," and at times it is very difficult to even see the standards. But I think if the Air Ministry could persuade the authorities in charge to paint them black and white, instead of being a danger they might act as a guide. V. N. DICKINSON. P.S.—I understand that cables have not yet been con- structed which will carry enough load to enable the current to be carried underground, i.e., in the case of the very high voltages. • - .-_ •••- Dunstable Downs, Beds, ,: . 736
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