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Aviation History
1933
1933 - 0462.PDF
FLIGHT, AUGUST 31, 1933 ALEXANDRIA FLYING CLUB i *- ALI BEY YEHIA, who obtained his "A" licence with Misr-Airwork recently, is President of the recently-formed Alexandria Flying Club, which has put in much useful work during the week-ends under the instruction of Misr- Airwork pilots. A permanent aeroplane, instructor and engineer are being sent this week to Dekheila for the flying school, which will be open to all Alexandria residents, whether or not members of the Alexandria Flying Club. r\ELHI FLYING CLUB •"-^ The flying times for the last quarter totalled 281 hr., which does not compare too well with the 582 hr. flown in the previous quarter. The club was, however, handi capped by the hot weather and by only having one machine serviceable. Congratulations are due to Messrs. P. D. Mitton and L. P. Jaiswal on carrying out first solos, and to Messrs. Ravinder Hari Darshan Singh, an " A " pilot of the Club, and Gurdas Ram Sharma, a pupil under training, who have been selected as cadets for the R.A.F. College, Cranwell. Only two cross-country flights were done during the quarter: Mr. Balbir Singh flew to Patiala and Mr. O. N. Dang to Loharu. Mr. Grant Govan's machine was used on a number of occasions, but developed a reluctance to register sufficient oil pressure and would not be comforted by even the ministrations of Mr. Goodley. At the invitation of the Maharaja, Capt. Riley and the Hon. Secretary flew to Dholpur aerodrome on April 9 to report on the aerodrome. From the number of joy-rides which Capt. Riley was called upon to give, the State appears to have developed a high air sense. His Highness intends to convert the existing buildings on the aerodrome into a palatial Rest House, to which all visiting pilots will be welcome. Owing to one machine having come to grief near Lucknow and two having been handed over to the U.P. Flying Club, the Club were left with only two, and one of these, a " Bluebird," was put out of action in the first week in April; a cable order was sent to England at once for the necessary part, and a reminder in June, but still the necessary part did not arrive—[which k a great pity, for that is where the American manufac turers score—-Service—EDITOR], The Club much regrets.to record the deaths of two well-known members of the Club. Capt. H. O. C. Bland, who was killed as the result of a motor accident near Quetta, was one of the original mem bers of the Club, and rendered great service as Secretary during a critical time in the Club's history. Sadar Bahaeur Dharam Singh, who died last month in Europe, was a Vice-Patron of the Club, of which he was a staunch supporter. The Club's motto for pilots: " One is always safe in doing good turns." T ONDON GLIDING CLUB •*-' Thirty-one hr. were recorded for the week. On Monday, August 2i, the " Professor " was given a long spell of ridge-soaring; the " Priifling " soared twice before the 15 m.p.h. wind faded away. On Tuesday the " Professor " and " Prufling " made three lengthy flights. Collins reached 1,450 ft. in the " Professor," rounding Totternhoe Church. On Wednesday Collins made a flight which is probably an English distance record. In a wind of about 12 m.p.h. he was launched in the " Professor " by means of the motor winch from the foot of the hill and cast off at about 400 ft. He then flew above the ridge for 3 hr. 10 min., awaiting the better conditions which had been forecasted by the Air Ministry. He got up to 700 ft., and when the clouds broke he managed further to gain height by convection currents until he was at 1,100 ft., after which with the help of clouds he got to 1,500 ft. While over Dunstable he saw a tern soaring strongly and so followed it. He was justified, as he found a very strong up current, reaching at times a velocity of 12 ft. per sec, and was soon at 2,200 ft. He then turned and made for Ivinghoe Beacon, which he reached without loss of height, and so turned down wind down the Gaddesden Valley and made for Hemel Hempstead, losing height all the way and arriving there at only 400 ft. Over Abbots Langley he found a good thermal current and was able to climb to 1,200 ft. Still flying down wind he finally landed half a mile from Bignell's Corner, near Barnet. The direct distance being 22 miles and the actual course followed taking him over 28 miles. He went up at 10.35 a.m., was over Ivinghoe Beacon at 1.50 p.m., and landed at 2.15 p.m. It is interesting to know that Collins has never flown a power-driven aircraft, and has learnt all his flying, ab initio, at the London Gliding Club. Buxton in the " Scud " reached 1,000 ft., but did not leave the ridge. Bell obtained his " B " certificate in a Dixon primary glider presented by Derby Slater. On Thursday the photographers were chasing Collins, so he soared in the " Professor " close to their cameras. On Friday primary training was curtailed by a dog, which bit the flying wires as the machine took off. The " Prlifling " ground-hopped. On Saturday primary train ing, " Priifling " ground-hops, and a winch-launch for fhe " Kassel 20." On Sunday primary training, and several winch-launches for the " Kassel 20." As the autumn approaches, the violent thermal currents will presumably fade away, but by then the club members will have had plenty of fun out of them. The trick of utilising the upheavals is being gradually mastered, especially now that D. F. Dent has invented an inexpensive variometer which functions perfectly. Pilots are also learning how to handle all the machines really nimbly, so that tight circles can be flown immediately a machine enters a small area of abnormal lift. An additional aid is the winch built by L. A. Desoutter, by which machines can be launched from the foot of the hill to a height where up-currents exist. Large launching crews are thereby rendered unnecessary, and flying can be carried out when only a pilot, winch-driver and assistant are present. All these things make the future look particularly bright. AT GRAVESEND : The club-house and hangars of the Gravesend School of Flying. 874
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