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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 1115.PDF
FLIGHT, NOVEMBER 3, 1932 FIRMS DEALT WITH IN THIS SERIES. Published, FLIGHT, Oct. 13,^.969. Armstrong Siddeley Motors Armstrong-Whitworth Aircraft Bristol Aircraft & Engines Comper Aircraft Gloster Aircraft Napier Aero Engines Phillips & Powis Rollason, Muir & Rickard Saunders-Roe Aircraft Published, FLIGHT, Oct. 20, p. 993. Blackburns Aircraft Engineering Training Concluded from page 994) TT* HIS week we conclude our series of articles, giving information designed to help those who wish to obtain training in Aircraft Engineering, and particularly, training which will help them in obtaining a thorough grounding in manufacturing methods, leading eventually, to Ground Engineer's Licence examinations. Rolls Royce A.S.T. Redwing General Aircraft Northern Air Lines Short Avro In this week's article. De Havilland Supermarine D.H. Technical School Brooklands Correspondence Tuition DE HAVILLAND The De Havilland Aircraft Co., Ltd., Stag Lane, Edgware, Middlesex D.H.'s ARE well known for their pioneer work through out the world in connection with light aircraft. Their " Moth " is probably more widely used as a training, privately owned, and club, aircraft than any other aero plane. This has been built of both wood and metal, according to the employment to which it is put. Some times there is demand for an all-metal structure, in which case the fuselage is built up from welded steel tubing, while in other cases the wooden version is preferred wherein the fuselage is a boxed plywood structure. In both cases the wings have spindled spruce spars, built- up spruce ribs, and plywood covering. Other small machines emanating from this factory, which have gained world-wide repute are the " Puss Moth " and " Fox Moth," while the large 14-seater D.H. " Hercules " is used extensively not only by Imperial Airways, but also on the very successful air lines in Australia. The " Fox Moth " is worthy of special mention by virtue of the fact that, when fully loaded, it carries a greater load per h.p. than any other commercial aircraft. It is thus a most ecoiiomical proposition for the small operator or for taxi services. The works offer admirable facilities for trade apprentices. These boys do not necessarily qualify for ground engineers' licences, but are instructed on the lines of tradesmen. For those who have ground engineers' licences particularly in view, there is a very comprehensive scheme for student appren tices which is worked in conjunction with the D.H. Aeronautical Technical School. This will be dealt with under a separate heading. The company accepts boys up to the age of 16 for training as trade apprentices and the standard of education required is that of boys who have undergone a course of training in a junior technical school, or elementary schools where the curriculum provides for manual and practical work ; those from secondary schools must show that they are mechanically minded and mentally equipped to undertake industrial employment. Six months' probationary period is allowed before the candidates are accepted for apprenticeship. Those selected are apprenticed until the age of 21 years, in the trade chosen. Trades for which these apprentices are accepted include engine fitting tester ; tool maker ; machinist; aircraft fitting and assembly, including process jig and template making; sheet metal worker, including jig making and setting up ; and aircraft wood worker. Throughout all the above trades, selections are made to fill positions as inspectors, production planning staff, and foremen. Two scholarships are awarded annually admitting apprentices to the two years' course in the Company's Aeronautical School, such students being trained for their Ground Engineer's Licence " A," "B," " C." and " D." All apprentices must attend evening classes on the company's premises, where instruction is given in mathematics and mechanics, aerodynamics and aircraft performance calculation, aircraft drawing and design, aircraft and aero-engine construction, maintenance, and repair, air navigation, and meteorology. It will be seen from the above that super fluous theoretical tuition in other branches of engineering is eliminated and pupils can, therefore, advance more rapidly and obtain a higher degree of efficiency than is usual at most technical schools which cover a wider curri culum. The pay for apprentices ranges from 4ld. per hour at 16 years of age to 8d. per hour at 20 years of age. SUPERMARINE Supermarine Aviation Works (Vickers), Ltd., Southampton and London SUPERMARINES are known the world over for their boats and seaplanes. Of the latter, by far the most widely talked about is, of course, the S. series of racing sea planes, the final development of which, the S.6b, enabled us to win the Schneider Trophy for good and all. Their " Southampton " twin-engined flying boat has been pro duced in large numbers for the Air Force, both with a wooden and a metal hull, and in this boat many wonder ful flights have been made, mostly in the ordinary course of service training. They also have on the stocks a large boat designed for Trans-Atlantic work, but work has been stopped on this owing to the policy of the Treasury which recently greatly curtailed the amount of money available for experimental purposes. APPRENTICES, both premium and boy, are taken in their works, but at the present time it is not possible to take on any more and no applications are therefore wanted for some considerable time. Premium apprentices are graded according to the standard of their premium, such grading defining the various or individual departments to be covered during indentures. The higher grade boys go through all departments of the factory including the sales organisation, the itinerary being designed to fit such apprentices for higher posts in the aircraft industry. The number of such appointments is, however, strictly limited, consequently the number of apprentices taken in this grade is very small. Boy apprentices are engaged for employment in individual departments of the factory, no generalised training being recognised. Any boys however, in this grade who show outstanding merit are given the opportunity of filling posts in the drawing office or any administrative position in the factory. In the case of both premium and boy apprentices a part-time educational scheme is included at the University College, Southampton. This involves a minimum of two whole days' theoretical training per week and scholarships of nominal value are awarded to those students who do well in their examina tion. The expense of this training is provided in part by the company. D.H. TECHNICAL SCHOOL The De Havilland Aircraft Co., Ltd., Stag Lane Aerodrome, Edgware THIS school, which is run by the de Havilland Air craft Co., offers technical tuition in aircraft and aero engine construction, maintenance, and repair, to students who are entering the industry as a permanent occupation, and exceptional facilities are included in the course of instruction for acquiring experience in the theory of flight and aircraft design. The courses are designed so that the pupils are in a position to pass the examinations for their ground engineer's licences in categories "A," " B," " C," and " D." Students are given an initial period of instruction in the technical school workshop, where they learn to use all the common tools, and also receive train ing under qualified instructors in the construction and maintenance of various types of aircraft and aero engines. During their course they have to pass through such work shops of the D.H. Aircraft Co. as may be considered neces sary, besides the work they do in the technical school workshops. Under this scheme they are actually engaged upon work which is being utilised on production and which therefore passes through inspection. This is a very valuable feature of the course, and insures that the students are trained to a high degree of efficiency and accuracy. ALL stages of treatment of materials and manufacture are taught and during the course they pass through the following departments :—fitters' shop sheet metal shop, erecting shop, fabric shop, dope and paint shop, wood detail shop, wood and metal " Moth " and " Puss Moth " assembly shops, engine machine shop, engine test shop, jig and tool room, case-hardening and heat-treating department, inspection, test, laboratory, repair and service department, drawing office and, in addition, arrangements are made whereby students may obtain actual aerodrome experience with aircraft in service during the summer months. The scheme at the school embodies two courses, 1035
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