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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0795.PDF
FLIGHT, AUGUST 5, 1932 Sha Tnrlusttn. MAPS FOR FLYING P ROVISION of adequate maps for the use of pilots, particu larly when flying open air craft, has long been a matter of careful study by many authorities. Among the thoroughly practical ones which fulfil, in almost every detail, just what the pilot wants are those issued by the Automobile Association. These are mounted on cloth in a man ner which includes the largest possible area on each sheet without it becoming unwieldy, while owing to the clever method of folding no sheet need ever be completely unfolded in the air ; furthermore, a generous overlap be tween the sheets enables the pilot to pass from one sheet to another quite easily. These maps are based on the J-in. Ordnance Survey, with the meri dians added, so that compass bearings may be worked out quite readily. The contour colouring is that which has now been adopted for flying maps, wherein the lowest contour is 200 ft., the colouring below and above this up to 400 ft. being white and above 400 ft. increasingly dark shades of buff. By this means it is possible for woods and forests to be coloured green and for the high ground still to stand out boldly. Naturally, everything of value from the flying point of view has been accentuated, and we find that all things like railways, wireless masts, prohibited areas, danger areas, woods, canals, rivers, and aerodromes are very prominent. The method of marking the aerodromes is unique and relieves the pilot of a very great deal of trouble. Each aerodrome is sur rounded by a small compass rose divided into ten's of degrees, and all that is therefore needed to find a bear ing from an aerodrome, or a course from one aerodrome to another, is to read off where the line between the objects cuts this compass rose. The local magnetic variation is marked quite clearly on each sheet, thus enabling the pilot to find the magnetic bearing easily. The centre of each compass rose around an aerodrome is also utilised to indicate the facilities provided at these aerodromes, and re ference to our diagram will show how this is done. Naturally, these maps are thoroughly waterproof, and pencil ^m \ Customs f \ V J Aerodrome \ ^k J 3 Hangar Accommodation Fuel Supply Meteorological Services Workshops Telephone on Aerodrome Landing Ground only. The legend used in marking the aerodromes showing the facilities available. wiMmm\ Una*** tTTY^ **•" Harsljifl Cambridge (Fen Ditton) as it appears on Sheet 3 of the A.A. Series of J-in. Flying Maps. It will be seen that this aerodrome is 85 ft. above sea level and that tele phone, workshops, hangars and fuel supply are available. Showing the convenient method by which the A.A. maps are folded. marks on them may be taken off with indiarubber without damage. It is difficult to suggest any way in which maps like these can be improved, but there is one point, already receiving the attention of the Air Ministry, which will have to be seen to sooner or later, and that is the network of high-tension cables which is rapidly spreading all over the country. The places wmere these cables, together with their pylons, are led over high ground, thus constituting particular danger to aircraft, might well be marked on these maps, for it seems an unfortunate fact that wherever these cables cross a high ridge, they have to be supported on pylons consider ably higher than those on the level ground in order to obtain a safe clear ance between the cables and the ridge. It will also be of great advantage to private owners if the many private landing grounds, which have recently come into being, were marked as well as the licensed aerodromes. These maps are naturally expensive, but the A.A. keep a library from which their members may hire maps as required, and they also have an arrangement with Airwork, Ltd., whereby a stock is carried both at Heston and at Cairo. 739 AN AID TO NAVIGATION r\E SIGNED by Sir Kenneth Cross- '-' ley and produced by Stanford's Geographical Establishment of 12, 13 and 14, Long Acre, London, W.C.2, the little Course and Speed Calculator shown in one of our illustrations should be a very useful addition to the navigation equipment of any private owner's aeroplane, especially as, unlike the average run of acces sories, it is sold at the very modest price of Is. ! The Crossley Calculator consists of a stiff card on which are printed two circles graduated into 24 divisions. The left half, and figures, of the outer circle are printed in red, and the upper half and figures of the inner circle also in red. Red denotes sub traction and black addition. The Cal culator is available in four speeds: 80, 90, 100 and 110 m.p.h. The one illustrated is for a cruising speed of 80 m.p.h. For the course to steer it is only necessary to take the magnetic course and to add or subtract the number of degrees which the wind direction makes with it. This gives the divi sion on the outer circle, which indi-
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