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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 1046.PDF
FLIGHT, OCTOBER 13, 1932 Booh Reviews "Air Navigation," 1st Edition, 1931. By U. Com. P V. H. Weems, U.S.N. McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., Ltd., Aldwych House, W.C.2). Price 30s. T~HE book is a well-arranged, clear and comprehensive work on all aspects of what we call air pilotage and air navigation. The subject is comprised under the coined word " avigation." The tables, illustrations and graphs are profuse and well done. In particular, the writer would willingly have removed from his review copy the dead reckoning tables of pp. 205-215 for his own use. Up to Ch. 5, maps are the chief subject. The chapter on the compass is disappointing and open to criticism. It remains for a future edition to explain those idiosyncrasies of the compass which belong in part to northerly turning error and in part to speed errors, and the effect of pitch on E. and W. courses. These are the compass defects which are obscure of cause but all too evident in practical work. To omit explanation is to encourage distrust of com pass theory by the averagely uninformed pilot. To make reference to banking of the aircraft in explaining N.T.E, is a fault. The compass card or needle banks on its own account without reference to the aircraft in which it is pendulously supported. Dead Reckoning or " Air Pilotage " covers some 160 pp. and is clearly explained in theory and practice. Radio is well covered as regards procedure and method of application, but might with advantage have received some space for operative hints. Celestial avigation covers some 154 pp., and is evidence of the soundness of the writer's abilities. These chapters cover a wide field readably and succinctly. Avigation by " precomputed altitudes " is well adver tised in this book and appeals to the critic in his role of pupil, to be an excellent device, both practically and psychologically. Aerology (meteorology) seems sound, but perhaps too brief; whilst the " practical " chapter should include a few hints on the use of cursory observations of conditions. There is still a lot to be said for meteorology on the farmers' " my knee aches, so it will rain next week method. In " Blind Flying " the shortness of the chapter and lack of positive information were a disappointment. The difficulties are, if anything, put rather too high, and the training and technique too low. There is nothing funda mental in this chapter. Bibliography and index are profuse ; the author's indebtedness to all those whose help he acknowledges must be very much more in his conscience than in reality, for he is evidently very plentifully equipped with personal know ledge and ability to express and arrange it. W. E. J. More Hillman Enterprise ON October 11 Mr. Edward Hillman, by way of following up his recent Essex air display, gave a luncheon in honour of Col. F. C. Shelmerdine (Director of Civil Aviation) and the pilots who assisted at the display. As with the other Hillman enterprises, Mr. W. Courtenay was largely responsible for the organisation, and it was no doubt due to him that such a large, representative, and distinctive gathering was collected together for this occasion. Mr. Hillman is a new power, and one might almost say a bright star in the rising firmament of aviation. His methods are unorthodox, but his faith in aviation and his own capabilities is supreme. At the present moment the wiseacres are shaking their heads and saying that he cannot do what he is setting out to do. We shall not be surprised if they are wrong, for a more forceful personalitv and one with a better apprecia tion of the business difficulties entailed would be difficult to find. Unfortunately Col. Shelmerdine was unable to be present at the luncheon, and for the Durposes of the response to his toast he was represented by Capt. A. G. Lamplugh, of the B.A.I.C. Col. L. Strange, who piloted the " Spartan Cruiser " with the Mayor's party on the occasion of the Romford display, proposed the health of Col. Shelmerdine. He did so in an admirable and witty speech, voicing a plea for the establishment of aero dromes in the vicinity of every town, suggesting that ''Annual Report of the Director of .the Meieorologizal Office," presented by the Meteorological Committee to the Air Council for the year ended March 31, 1932. Published by H.M. Stationery Office, Adastral House, Kingsway, W.C.2. Price Is. net. IN its main lines the work of the Meteorological Office during the year under review has continued as in pre vious years, but the demands made on the Office have continued to grow and every department reports an increase in the number of inquiries received and the amount of information supplied. The year is noteworthy for the completion of three undertakings, the complete reorganisa tion of the arrangements made at headquarters in London for the preparation of weather forecasts, the successful conclu sion of a scheme for simplifying the exchange of meteoro logical information between the countries of the northern hemisphere, and the completion of a series of tours made by the Superintendent of the Navy Services to the chief naval stations of the world, in order to organise the supply of meteorological information to the Royal Navy when on foreign service. Before the reorganisation of the forecasting arrangements, the supply of forecasts for aviation and for other purposes was the work of two separate divisions, but there was no essential difference between the two types of forecast, and they have now both been placed in charge of the Fore casting Division, thus avoiding a certain amount of dupli cation. Forecasting work has also been facilitated by the simplification of the exchange of weather information between different countries, which required close inter national co-operation. After some initial difficulties, the new system is now working smoothly and regularly. The Aviation Service has provided special assistance for a number of long-distance flights, including two to Australia, two to Africa and one to Japan, and also in connection with several projected transatlantic flights, for the cruise of the airship Graf Zeppelin and for the first successful flight by a glider across the English Channel. A begin ning has been made, in co-operation with the Automobile Association, with a special service for the supply of meteorological information to owner-pilots. During 1932-33 will be held the Second International Polar Year, during which a number of countries will send expeditions to high altitudes to obtain data for studies in meteorology and terrestrial magnetism. The Meteorological Office has organised a British expedition to Fort Rae in Canada, under the leadership of Mr. J. M. Stagg, who visited the site during 1931 to make preliminary arrange ments. At the end of the year preparations were well advanced for the departure of the party in May, 1932. Si SS these might be situated at the junction of the new arterial roads which are being laid to circumnavigate for the majority of towns. Mr. W. Courtenay proposed the health of the pilots who had assisted at the display, and read out an imposing list of those who were re sponsible for the success of the occasion. Mrs. J. A. Mollison, in reply, said that as she had undoubtedly taken the longest time of anyone to do the flight from Stag Lane to Romford, she was not fitted to reply to the toast. After referring to the advantage of having her husband at such displays, she asked to be allowed to voice the thanks of everyone to Mr. Hillman for his hospitality. Councillor W. T. Boston proposed the health of Mr. Hillman, saying that their host was one of the most enterprising men thev had in Romford, and wishing him every success. Mr. Hillman, in reply, hoped that many more men would be doing the same as he was, in the near future, and finished by thanking all those present for the support they had given him. F ft ' «* V. NEW COMPANY REGISTERED THE IRAQ PETROLEUM TRANSPORT COMPANY, LTD. ("private " company).—Capital. £100 in £1 shares. Objects—to manufacture, operate, maintain and deal in airships, airplanes, seaplanes and all other kinds of aircraft, ships, vessels, cars, and conveyances for the transport of passengers and goods, etc. Solicitors : Bischoff, Coxe, Bischoff and Thompson, 4, Grpat Winchester Street, F..C. 974
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