FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1933
1933 - 1317.PDF
FLIGHT, DECEMBER 28, 1933 THE GERMAN REPRESENTA TIVE : Herr Schwabe filling up the tanks of his Klemm. (FLIGHT Photo.) FLIGHT, includes a touring com petition over a route which leads to several oases where, until re cently, civil aeroplanes had 1101 landed. The landing grounds at these oases wen laid out by the Egyptian Armv Air Force under the command of Kaimakam Tait Bey, and under his direction a map was prepared by the Egyptian Survey Department for the use of the competitors. It was not until the Shell Company's " Puss Moth " flown by Mr. Barrington-Mason went round in connection with the pro vision of refuelling facilities, that they were used by a civil aeroplane. At the time of writing—Sunday, December 17—com petitors number 1 to 23 have arrived and been registered. News of the others is naturally very difficult to gather, but we understand that the weather experienced by those who are flying from Europe has been almost indescribably bad. This has, of course, penalised the English competitors more than any others. Of the 23 arrivals, 14 are French men, the majority of whom have come from Oran and Algeria; 3 are English, only 2 of whom have, however, got through from England, the third being a locally-owned machine: one is German; one is Belgian; two are Italian and two are Egyptian. There are many rumours of others who may get through in time, and everyone hopes that they will do so. The officials have all done their best to make the meeting pot only an interesting one, but also truly international in character so that it will cause great disappointment if the weather prevents many of the European competitors from reaching Cairo in time. They have until Monday night to do so, therefore hopes run high among the countrymen of those who are only represented by a few machines, that the numbers will be increased by the actual day of the competition. In order to facilitate the work of the judges, many of those who have already arrived have been subjected to inspection and preliminary tests. These consist of (1) a Wing-folding Re-erecting Test; (2) a Take-off and Landing Test; (3) a Safety Factor Test. Special log-books have been issued to all competitors, in which all details relating to the competitions have to be entered by the officials, and these entries are the basis for awards. The following extracts from the official rules explain the procedure for these tests, and also the formula upon which marks are awarded for the Circuit of the Oases. Speed over the whole course and fuel consumption per passenger-mile are the factors of chief importance. Fol lowing them come range, sinking speed, ease of wing fold ing, and marks awards by judges for certain matters which are constant, as, for example, comfort, silence, layout of equipment, accessibility, etc. Marks in this competition will be awarded according to the formula: — N == 100 12 P d Q + 612 + q +" 10/ 1309 where N = Total number of points obtained by a compe titor. V = Fastest speed of any competitor over the course. v = Actual speed of the competitor over the course. P = Lowest petrol consumption per passenger mile of any competitor, p = Actual petrol consumption per passenger mile of the competitor. D = Greatest range under condition of flight of any competitor. d = Actual range under condition of flight of the competitor. t = Time in minutes up to 12 minutes taken by the competitor in reaching the ground after cutting off one (or the sole) engine at a height of 2,000 ft. Q = Shortest time taken by any competitor in folding and re-erecting his aircraft. q = Actual time taken by the competitor in folding and erecting his aircraft. (N.B.—This test must be carried out by not more than two members of the crew of the competing aircraft.) C = The number of points awarded by the judges on matters that are constant. The follow ing are the points which will be taken into consideration and the scale on which marks will be awarded:—(a) Pro vision for carriage of luggage, 20 ; (h) comfort (e.g., silence, view, seating, etc.), 20 ; (c) method of starting engine, 20 ; (d) safety provisions for passengers and crew. 10 ; (<?) ability to take off and land in a confined space (special test prior to touring flight), 30 ; (/) arrangements of controls and instruments, 10 ; (g) equipment for night living, 10 ; (h) accessibility for refuelling, 10 ; (i) accessi bility for routine maintenance of engine and aircraft, 20 ; (/') provision for picketing. 10. (Note.—Amphibians will b - required to take off from the land and land on the water and vice versa during the take-off and landing test. A 10 per cent, increase to the marks actually obtained for cruising speed, petrol consumption and range will be awarded to amphibians passing this test.) So much for the official side of the meeting in so far as rules and regulations are concerned. Owing to the fact that our air mail services are still regarded as luxuries by our Post Office, we shall be unable to deal with the Circuit of the Oases itself until next week, and shall therefore not describe the details of the route until we can report that competition in full. This is the second International Egyptian Aviation Meeting, the first having been held 23 years ago. During the intervening time much has changed in Egypt, but until re cently little was done to open up the country for the free passage of civil aircraft. Now those bar riers have been removed, and this meeting will, the Aero Club of Egypt hopes, do a great deal towards opening up their country. Every day the excitement at Almaza grows in intensity. The airlines which are being operated by Misr Airwork have already TWO BRITISH LOW-WING MONOPLANES : The " Hawk Special " on the left and the Per- cival " Gull " on the right. (FLIGHT Photo.)
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
