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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 1984.PDF
75O FLIGHT, 8 December 1949 CORRESPONDENCE The Editor of "Plight" does not hold himself responsible for the views expressed by correspondents in these columns. The name* and addresses of the writers, not necessarily for publication, must in all cases accompany letters. "REHEAT" OR "AFTERBURNING"? THE always vexed question of nomenclature has a particularimportance when a completely new technique, such asturbine propulsion, is being evolved. A specialist, absorbed in a particular field of activity, may adapt or adopt a name fora part or a process without due consideration for its usage in other spheres. In this way confusion subsequently arises andrectification is liable to be difficult and protracted. Examine "exhaust reheat" for jet units. The earlier termwas " afterburning," and this has been accorded general accept- ance in America. Here in Britain, however, " exhaust reheat "suddenly appears, sponsored by Power Jets, Ltd., and the Ministry of Supply. Almost immediately, of course, the adjec-tival "exhaust" becomes clipped and "reheat" is commonly used alone. Now " reheat" ha? long been the accepted term, in station-ary and marine gas-turbine plants, for the process of burning additional fuels between successive turbine units. Hence theconfusion. By '' reheat'' can be implied either a second combustionchamber between the turbines of a "two-shaft" plant or "afterburning" on a jet-propulsion unit. Surely a cleardemarcation is desirable, and I suggest that "afterburning" achieves this distinction. . J. TALBOT. London, W.i. ..:; .-.•:•••• GOOD CAUSE From Lord Riverdale, G.B.E. /^HRISTMAS is traditionally the time of charity. I knowv—' that at this season your readers have many calls on their kindness, but I should be most grateful if you would allow meto mention one very needy cause. I refer to the R.A.F. Benevolent Fund. If any of yoarreaders would be kind enough to send a donation, it would be greatly appreciated. Why, they may ask, does the Fund still need money? Theanswer is quite simple. Due to the rising cost of living, our expenditure is greatly increasing and our revenue declin-ing ; and we cannot yet see when the need for help will diminish. All donations will be gratefully acknowledged. They shouldbe sent to me at the R.A.F. Benevolent Fund, 1, Sloane Street, London, S.W.i. (Tel. Sloane 1681.) RIVERDALE,London, S.W.i. Chairman of the Council, R.A.F. Benevolent Fund. THE PRESTWICK INQUIRY LORD NATHAN was responsible for launching air-accidentinvestigation on the slippery slope leading to the present debacle. In deferring to demands for public investigation heordered that inquiries conducted by the Chief Inspector of Accidents should be thrown open to the public. Soch inquirieswere not intended to be conducted ia public and were aot designed for such a method. They were held purely as fact-finding tribunals. Rules of evidence were not observed, legal representation was not considered necessary and no right ofcross-examination existed. Their sole purpose was as a source of technical information to the convening authority. The unsuitability of throwing open to the public suchinquiries very soon became evident and led to a greatly in- creased use of the public inquiry proper, presided over by alegal luminary to whom the technical assistance of assessors was made available. This was accepted as an expensive alter-native but one that at least prevented any suspicion that the ends of justice might not be served. By repudiating the findings—not the recommendations—ofthe McDonald Inquiry, Lord Pakenham, say what he will, repudiates the independent status of the tribunal. He feels itnecessary to defend his subordinates because he considers that their errors and omissions did not contribute to the accident,not because the subordinates were guiltless. But who is to defend the dead pilot? What evidence isthere to show that he would not, in fact, have acted differently if the missing information had been supplied? For years thepilot's organizations have decried the ever-increasing tendency to whitewash M.C.A. staff at the expense of the aircrew. Aperusal of Accident Investigation Reports issued by the CWef Inspector of Accidents will show a large number of cases wherethe evidence has brought to light shortcomings in M.C.A. staff which have been admitted, but which have either not beenmentioned when blame has been apportioned or have been passed over lightly. In Lord Pakenham's own words, there is"often room for a difference of opinion." Unfortunately, the official difference has invariably been on the side of the officialstaff. Foreseeing the possibility of such a result, pressure fromall informed sources was towards the formation of an indepen- dent tribunal. The expedient of appointing quasi-judicialcourts was an answer to this criticism. The action of Lord Pakenham in repudiating the findings—and again I must stressnot the recommendations—of the McDonald Inquiry merely re-inforces, in the most pointed way, all the arguments summedup in the statements " that no man shall be a judge in his ewn case is a basic concept of justice" and "it is as importantthat justice should appear to be done as that it should be done." Lord Pakenham is responsible for the conduct of theservices criticized in the findings, the findings which he repudiates. In question of detail, Lord Pakenham states: '' afterreferring to a technical breach of the regulations which have no significance." What evidence js there, or even what groundsfor assuming, that this breach had no significance? Again, "As regards the individual officers I came to the conclusion,which I firmly hold to-day, that the two or more officers con- cerned had in no way failed in their duty." In other words," Joe Snooks is found guilty and I, as the responsible Minister, order that he be discharged without a stain on his character." No wonder our friends in the Netherlands express dismay atsuch a negation of justice. A tribunal appointed on the basis that '' If your findings are palatable I will endorse them.Otherwise I will repudiate them." W. N. CUMMING, Past Master, Guild of Air Pilots.London, W.i. [Further news of the Prestwick Inquiry repercussions appearson page 748.—ED.] . _ • -. ~" THE BEECH TWIN-QUAD " W l have read with interest your article [October 27th] onthe Twin-Quad Power Plant developed at Beech. In your article, however, you give the writer credit for a much greater part of the development than was actually the case. Mr. A. S. Odevseff, Beech staff engineer, designed and had charge of the complete development of the Twin-Quad dual-drive unit from its conception to its present status. The writer was concerned primarily with supervision of the ground-testing of the drive unit. J. W. MASSEY, Wichita, Kansas. Test Engineer, V:.." ™ Beech Aircraft Corporation. Dec. Dec. Dec Dec. Dec. Dec. 1950 Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. 8. 8. 10. 15. 15. 21. 3. 7. II.14. 20. 30.24. 24. 28. FORTHCOMING EVENTS Institute of Physics : " Some Physical and Chemical Effects of friction." by Dr. F. P. Bowden, F.lnst.P., F.R.S. FLAe.S. Graduates) : " Synthetic-adhesive Bonding," by C. J. Moss, B.Sc. Uritisi) interplanetary Society (Manchester) : Discussion Evening. R.Ae.C. : K.L.M. films. " Caribbean Ahead " and " Batavia Air- port " (At Londonderry House.) R.Ae.S. : "Navigational Systems and Instrument Aids," by Dr. D. E. Adams, B.Sc., A.lnst.P., and Or. A. N. Uttley, B.Sc, Ph.D. R.A2.S. (Weybridge) : " Round the World in 90 Days," film by William Courtenay, M.M. R.Ae.C. : " Round th« World in 90 Days " (Part U), film by William Courtenay, M.M. (At Londonderry House.) British Interplanetary Society: "The Circum-lunar Rocket," fcy K. W. Gatland and A. E. Dixon. R.Ae.S. (Weybridge) : Brains Trust. British Interplanetary Society (Manchester) : " Space Stations," by E. Burgess. Institute of Physics (Manchester) : " Temperature Measure- ment," by J. A. Hall. London Aeroplane Club : Annual Dinner Dance. R.Ae.C. : " Air Travel through the U.S.A.", film by William Courtenay, M.M. (At Londonderry House.) R.Ae.S. (Belfast) : " Recent Development in Aircraft Production Engineering," by Prof. Connolly, B.E., F.R.Ae.S. Helicopter Association : " Pest Control and the Helicopter," by Dr. W. E. Ripper, F.R.E.S.
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