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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0621.PDF
FLIGHT, JUNE 24, 1932 NIGHT LIFE : (Left to right) Lt. Com. Geoffrey Rodd, R.N., who brought over Rear-Admiral A. L. Snagge (Chair man of the Royal Naval Flying Club) ; Miss Winifred Spooner, pilot to Mr. Lindsay Everard, whom she flew down from Ratcliffe, talking to Mr. Nigel Norman on their arrival at Heston. (FLIGHT Photos.) sheet-metal strip some 8 in. wide, so placed that it is free to swing round the outer circumference of the lamp, as the hand control is used, at a distance of 2,000 mm. from the centre of the floodlight. This shadow-bar casts a 6-deg. shadow which may readily be trained in any part of the area covered by the beam of the floodlight. During the night of the demonstration several machines were flown, and we ourselves were privileged to experience a landing made with this light. We found that the shadow-bar eliminated entirely all glare and that it was quite possible either to fly across in the beam of the lamp or even directly at it, both above it and on the same level, without any inconvenience whatsoever. On this occasion the direction of the wind necessitated landing at right angles to the main beam. The utility of the shadow was therefore not emphasised to the same extent as it would have been had one had to land directly at the light. Even under these conditions, however, the shadow assisted the pilot greatly by removing any possibility of reflection occurring from his instrument board and wind screen, which is often bad in such a machine as the " Puss Moth," when the light comes from behind the aircraft. The method will undoubtedly raise considerable con troversy as to its value, and we imagine that the advo cates of the mobile floodlight, over which they have to land, will maintain that landing under such conditions is easier than by this newer method, but there can be little doubt that, when cost, ease of operation, and comfort during taxying are taken into account, the shadow-bar method will score on almost all counts. The progress which has been made in this country in private night flying was emphasised by the arrival of four visitors from different parts of the country. These included Mr. Lindsay Everard, whose pilot. Miss Spooner, had flown him down from his own aerodrome at Ratcliffe and who returned there after the display was over at about 12.45 a.m. ; Lt. Com. Geoffrey Rodd, who brought Rear- Admiral A. L. Snagge and a friend, also from some distance away ; and two other machines which were flown over from Hamble and Hanworth. As readers of our Private Flying Section will know, several flying clubs are now having regular night-flying days, and both the Reading Aero Club and Hanworth Park have found a demand for instruction on these occa sions. There is also a steady demand for joy rides during the dark hours, which is not surprising, for nothing is nicer than to fly when the air is still and cool, and if the passenger is lucky enough to be given a sight of, for example, London by night, it is certain that he will never forget the experience. CROYDON >gr GLORIOUS week of real summer weather has just £""^111 passed ; effect, Croydon has been very busy. CS JUL A great amount of bullion has passed through here from America to Europe. Special machines were run by both Imperial Airways and the K.L.M. Companies. Two of the Monospar machines have been out this week, and a very nice job they are. There is great secrecy in the General Aircraft camp concerning the speed of these machines, which will shortly be put through their paces at Martlesham. On Wednesday Capt. G. P. Olley left Croydon for Southampton at 10.45 a.m. with two passengers to catch the S.S. Europa which sailed at 11.30 a.m. It is under- Stood they arrived in time to catch the boat. Miss Amy Johnson and Mr. Mollison flew to Cannes by Air Union on Thursday, en route to Juan-les-Pins. Miss Winifred Brown returned from Germany on her " Avian," on her way to the Isle of Man meeting, described on page 570. The first of Imperial Airways' new Armstrong Whit- worth " Atalanta " class is expected shortly. The first tests are apparently very satisfactory. The Short " Valetta," after extensive tests, has left for Martlesham Heath for official tests. Messrs. Rollason, Muir & Rickard have now added a new " Spartan " to their fleet of aircraft. All pilots now consider the new boundary marking lights to be superior to the old type. The radio beacon mast is very well marked with rubv red obstruction lights by night and when bad visibility prevails. A trench is being dug in the vicinity of the landing circle for Neon landing tubes, and it is hoped that the smoke wind indicator will be in action shortly. A considerable amount of interest exists among the various air line pilots regarding the " shadow bar " method of landing by night. It would appear, however, that the majority of pilots prefer the Croydon floodlight and night landing arrangements. On Sunday an accident occurred at Hanworth. Capt. W. Rogers, of Imperial Airways," Ltd., was taking off with Heracles after attending the Royal Aeronautical Society's Garden Party, one wheel sinking into a filled-in stream. Although the machine was damaged, none of the 32 passengers was hurt. There are many " B " licence candidates awaiting night flights. Traffic figures for the week:—Passengers, 1,965 ; freight, 55 tons. P. B. 573
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