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Aviation History
1935
1935 - 0255.PDF
JANUARY 31, 1935- FLIGHT. 129 LORD S EM PILL, A.F.C., F.R.Ae.S., CONTINUES HIS DESCRIPTION OF CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED DURING HIS WORLD FLIGHT : THE IDEAL MACHINE FOR THE PRIVATE OWNER IN INDIA WITH the progress of commercial aviation in India and the growing popularity of club flying, it is not sur prising that protagonists should arise urging the develop ment of motorless flying. There is every reason to hope that gliding and soaring will play an important part in increasing airmindedness amongst the Indian people, for not only are the conditions likely to be very favourable but the relative economy with which motorless flying can be practised should appeal to a large section of the com munity who cannot afford to take up power flying. The flying clubs themselves have much to gain from the development of gliding, which will bring in its train a wider knowledge of the design and construction of aircraft suit able for the peculiar circumstances met with in India. At the present time the cost and maintenance of aeroplanes and equipment for training is a problem for those respons ible for the running of the clubs, for it has in many cases been necessary to provide flying at a figure which, even with the subsidy given by the Government, has resulted in an annual operating loss. For this reason there is likely to be a growing demand, at least for purposes of ab initio training, for a type of aeroplane of low horse-power, such as has been developed in Europe from experience gained in the construction of gliding and soaring machines. Meteoro logists, and others who have had the opportunity of so doing, have given us a good deal of information gained from their observation of bird flight in India, and particularly of soaring kinds. The prevalence of the latter type demon strates the peculiar suitability of conditions, and the apti tude shown by the birds in utilising thermal currents to cover long distances is an indication that exponents of motorless flying would find conditions particularly suitable. Strong Vertical Currents THE possibilities of long-distance motorless flying in 1 India, where strong vertical air currents commonly develop within fifty feet of the ground, opens up a fascina ting study. The effortless soaring of different kinds of birds, each variety appearing to choose its own time to flap up through the intervening space until these convection currents are reached, continues throughout the day. In the same circumstances there would appear to be no reason why sailplanes launched even from level ground should not emulate the birds. Realising these peculiarly favourable conditions, the In ternational Commission for the Study of Motorless Flight urged in 1931 the desirability of arranging for fully quali fied soaring pilots to undertake experimental flights in India with a view to determining how far performances in tem perate regions could be improved upon in tropical zones, following on this suggestion, Herr Kronfeld—one of the most experienced pilots in the world, who had flown in ^^ £ountries under varying conditions—got into touch with the Indian authorities with a view to the possibility f V!fu"g India for this PurPose- The Government re- cn 1. • t0 the Indian Gliding Association, who, after consultation with the Meteorological Department, which periri + -that Febmary-May would be the most suitable t ioa, tried to raise the necessary funds to finance the Conditions in India visit, but, owing to lack of public support, the project fell through. The native princes might well follow the example of the Ruler of Aundh, who has done so much to help the Indian Gliding Association. There is much that could be written of the possibilities of aviation in India. As in other countries, there is a great need for more aerodromes as a preliminary require ment to expansion and for greater facilities for servicing such types of aircraft as are used in India. At the present time only one British manufacturer has established a branch at which spares can be obtained. The time is com ing, if it has not already arrived, when manufacturers might, with advantage, arrange for demonstration flights of aircraft of improved design. Before this is done the peculiar conditions and requirements must be closely studied, for special types are required to suit varying needs Owing to the greater distances between important centres, aircraft of fairly high performance with a good range are desirable. The Ideal Machine DRIVATE owners of the future who wish to travel * much in India will require a machine with a cruising speed of around 140-150 m.p.h. This should have an enclosed cabin with plenty of luggage space, and, if a monoplane, should preferably be of high-wing design, as in this type the cabin is kept cooler by being shaded by the wing. Particular attention must, of course, be paid to ventilation, and where the cabin has a top light a properly designed sunblind is necessary. Three- or four-seater machines with these characteristics should find a market in India. The future requirements of the Indian Princes and their State officials open up a potential market, as the example set by one or two enthusiastic State rulers will be followed by many others when the convenience and time-saving of modern air transport is fully realised. Machines of similar design, but having two engines and a larger seating capa city, should be in demand, and as the question of first cost would not necessarily be so important in this par ticular field, it would be desirable to concentrate on pro viding every comfort and convenience. The British avia tion industry must see to it that every attention is paid to the requirements of the Indian market, which, if pro perly catered for, will provide an increasing outlet for their products. Benefits of the Future T HE British community of India have a great deal to gain from the acceleration of commercial air transport. With the new schedules now visualised, when the Mother Country will be reached by air in two or three days, not only will business be facilitated, but the possibility of spending an annual leave in England should do much for the health of those who are keeping up British prestige in India. A few weeks spent annually in a colder climate, which is a prospect which will be opened up to an increas ing number of civil servants and others, will help to build up a new store of energy resulting in greater efficiency. With the more arduous conditions imposed by the speed ing up of modern life, this advantage is not the least of the many benefits our great Indian Empire may derive from aviation.
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