FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1936
1936 - 1032.PDF
APRIL 23, I936- FLIGHT. c for the four passengers, in pairs, with the front adjustable seats level with the leading edge to give maximum view. There should be ample leg room, and it should be possible to change places in the air with ease. Each seat should have pockets alongside for books, maps, etc., also arm- slings and arm- and head-rests to give extra comfort. Pro vision for stowing parachutes and lifebelts should be made alongside each seat, and leather upholstery is preferred. In the cabin the front windows should give a good for ward view, and a window at the rear which will open is very important, both for ventilation in hot weather and for taking photographs. Cabin ventilators and heating devices should be provided, and an electric fan for keeping the cabin cool in hot countries when the machine is stand ing on the aerodrome. Special insulating material to prevent noise and a thick carpet to absorb the vibration are definitely necessary. The cabin should be as sound- and draught-proof and as free from vibration as possible, and in no circumstances should it leak. A light-luggage rack in the cabin is useful, with a separate compartment for heavier luggage. A pocket for log books and carnet should be arranged on the entrance door, which should have slip hinges. The pilots should sit side by side, with sliding seats to enable ease of entrance or exit; they should have plenty of room for maps and a blind to keep off the sun. As I look upon a private touring aircraft in the same category as a yacht, I require a method of flying the Civil Air Ensign after landing on foreign aerodromes. As far as the machine itself is concerned, I would have it fitted with slots, split trailing-edge flaps and wheel brakes, so that landings could be made in a short space over obstructions. The undercarriage should be of simple design, with balloon tyres and tail wheel, and give a good ground clearance. If it retracts it should be worked in both directions hydraulically, and full provision should be made with Klaxons and lights to avoid errors. Electric wing landing lights and wing-tip navigation lights are, of course, essential. Full dual control should be fitted, in cluding throttles, and the engine flooding and starting should be worked from the cabin. Unless V.P. screws are fitted, it is recommended that the Schwarz type should be used for durability. Auto-Klean petrol and oil filters should be fitted, and the instruments should be of the most up-to-date type for blind flying, a sensitive altimeter being of great importance. Wireless, with an extension to one of the passengers' seats, working on fixed and trail - ing aerials, with homing attachment, should be fitted. The provision of hand grips for use on the ground at wing tips and rear of fuselage is very useful. L. "NO IDEAL CRAFT" Sound Sense in Whimsical Words from Mr. A. J. Richardson, a 7^-years-young Owner of a Sporting Tzvo-seater Monoplane \ OVER eight years ago a Swiss incarnation of the depart ment of Providence that has the care of children, drunkards and old men told me on the rink at Maloja of the German Klemm. I went, saw and ordered. The machine has been in the air this month [March—a most inclement March—at the time Mr. Richardson penned these notes—ED.] and, reared with horses, quite ignor ant of petrol engines, I am one of the least competent pilots in Europe. The cantilever low wing was a Junkers world patent, a development from the glider. English manufactur er s making biplanes de- veloped from the box kite, were averse to the pay ment of royalties. Now that the patent has expired they are building low - wing monoplanes whose advantage lies in a perfect view in all directions and in the safety afforded by the amount of stuff below the pilot that takes the concussion in a crash. And not even an aeroplane can jump the tariff wall erected round Britain in recent years. The £, too, is now worth only 12s., instead of 20s., for foreign dealings, which accounts for the vogue of "pleasure" imprisonment in ships with the gentle excitement of a remote chance of being drowned. There can be no ideal craft for the private owner. Skill as a pilot, knowledge of machinery, instruments, naviga tion and W/T, income, purpose, sociability, all vary with individuals. The competent pilot takes little risk when he puts a big sum into his hobby. The millionaire seldom, for choice, drives a donkey or an old baby Austin. The sociable person, male or female, enjoys the propinquity of, at least, one other human mind ; but the contemplative character, to whom collective security makes no appeal, biola J',, chardson, the 74-year-old enthusiast who expresses his views above, put his hands up in surrender when a strange " his Salmson Klemm as he flew it towards his ground at North Walsham, Norfolk ; and the biplane's passenger was armed with a camera. ' attacked'
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
