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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 0974.PDF
128 FLIGHT, 24 July 1953 CORRESPONDENCE The Editor of "Flight" does not hold himself responsible for the views expressed by correspondents in these columns; the names and addresses of the writers, not necessarily for publication, must in all cases accompany letters. Loading the Dice VT"OUR admirable report of the recent Le Bourget flying display -I (Flight, July 10th) observes that one supersonic fighter made "a full-speed low run over the densest part of the crowd." At the risk of seeming unduly pessimistic, I suggest that it is just a matter of time before one of these pointless exhibitions results in a catastrophic accident. I say "pointless" because high speed at low level can be demonstrated just as effectively over runway or grass. The only purpose in aiming a fast, low-flying aircraft at a dense mass of people can be to terrify the public—which hardly seems worthy of a skilled demonstration pilot. If a pilot is incapable of aligning his aircraft with the runway, or the grass in front of the public enclosure, he is not in proper control of the machine, whatever its speed. All who attend displays realize, or should realize, that flying has inherent risks, and in watching a demonstration they accept those risks. In the extreme case I have mentioned, however, the spectators' chances of death or injury in the event of an accident are needlessly increased. The lethal effect of ten tons of metal striking a crowd of people at a shallow angle and a speed of 600-700 m.p.h. is best left to the imagination. There is, I believe, some kind of unwritten law among demon stration pilots against very low fast runs over crowds. In the interests of pilots and public, and of aviation generally, it should be more rigidly enforced. London, S.W.i. PRUDENCE. The Hinkler Ibis TPHE news (given in Flight a few weeks ago) that the Ibis is •*• being considered for production as a popular light aircraft must have shocked many, in that while we build aircraft which fly "faster, farther and higher" (and "fastest, farthest and highest") we may find, in one 22 years old, the type for those who want to fly for the fun of it. I do not make the popular mistake in regarding anything old as bad. The Ibis is undoubtedly a very good aeroplane; yet with all the technical advances since it was built, the gap which it may fill has persisted. Perhaps it is a bigger shock that no one else seems to have been shocked by the fact. Cambridge. PEDANTICA. Civil Aircrew Training AS a reader and admirer of your journal for a long time I was **• much interested in some recent articles and letters about aircrew training. There would appear, from my own experience, to be no shortage of aircrews or any fear of a shortage, at least so far as the commercial companies are concerned. As an ex-R.A.F. navigator with a good deal of long-range fly ing I paid for my own civil licence course (no scholarships asked) and thought that, as I could prove my interest and ambition, I could obtain a post with an air company where I could absorb some ground organization and at the same time earn a livelihood. Once qualified, a matter of months only, I should be a still more useful asset to the company—an aircrew member with practical experience of ground difficulties. Strangely, no British company was either helpful or even encouraging. Perhaps a "State-aided pushed into the air" type is preferred. The desire to work one's way to the top appears to be frowned on. However, despite encouragement in reverse I shall still press on regardless. But if that forecast shortage of aircrews does come, British companies are bound to pay, at least financially, for their lack of foresight. Doubtless it will be a great achievement to have fifty of the world's finest airliners and two mature crews. Passengers are bound to queue—for other airlines. From Flight editorials and ankles it is very evident that the Editor and his staff have their hearts in the right place. Perhaps their influence will eventually swing the tide and the raw recruits will have the chance to prove their mettle. Ilford, Essex. F. A. FARLEY. Helicops I FOUND great interest in your article in Flight of June 26th on the experiment in Warwickshire by the "helicops." Enthusiasts who possess copies of the pre-war magazine Popular Flying may recall the article by Cecil Bishop in the September, 1935, issue. Bishop prophesied that "Twenty years hence, we shall have aerial police using autogyros or hovering planes." The writer also put forward a useful idea that at inter vals the policemen in the helicopters could drop small smoke bombs to indicate the position of the bandits. A prophecy which has already proved correct is that there would be aerial traffic control. New York has successfully operated helicopters for this purpose for five years. Dagenham, Essex. G. CALVERT. International Farnborough ? T HE coming once again of the Paris Salon has brought to mind a rather "burning question." Maybe it is impracticable, but would it not be possible for some of the French, American, Italian and Swedish aircraft to grace the skies of Farnborough ? It is appreciated that this show is generally accepted as a "shop window" for the British Aircraft Industry, but the inclusion of some of the foreign prototypes would only mean extending the flying programme a Utile, and would give aeronautical enthusiasts an opportunity of seeing these interesting models which, unless they can afford to take a holiday in France for the Salon, they would not otherwise get. I think I am correct in believing others besides myself would be interested, and probably impressed by, say, a smoke-streaming B-47 or a shining Mystere IV sweeping across the airfield at Farnborough. Could not anything be done in this direction ? Ilford, Essex. J. TREVOR ANGEL. S.L.A.E EXAMINATIONS THE General Council of the Society of Licensed Aircraft Engineers has announced the establishment of the S.L.A.E. Central Examining Authority, which will be responsible for organizing and conducting the technical examinations for associate membership of the Society (see Flight, p. 832, June 26th). The members of the Authority are A. Cdre. Sir Vernon Brown, C.B., O.B.E., M.A., F.R.Ae.S. (chairman); E. D. Ayre, A.F.R.Ae.S ; J. L. P. Brodie, M.I.Mech.E., F.R.Ae.S.; A. C. Jack, A.M.I.Mech.E.; R. D. Peggs, M.A., M.I.Mech.E., A.F.R.Ae.S.; D. W. Richardson, M.B.E., A.F.R.Ae.S.; Major R. H. Thornton, M.C., J.P., M.A.; H. M. Woodhams, C.B.E., F.R.Ae.S.; R. F. Bloodworth (Hon. Secretary); and R. B. Hewitt. In addition, the Authority includes the chairmen of four technical sub-committees, namely; W. G. Bushell, A.M.I.Mech.E., A.F.R.Ae.S.; C. G. Luck; R. D. Searle; and J. Walmseley, A.F.R.Ae.S. The following officers of the Society are ex-officio members of the Authority : N. A. H. Luke, A.R.Ae.S. (president); H. M. Turner (chairman of the General Council), and Capt. P. F. Murray (general secretary). The first associate membership examination will take place* on September 26th; entries close on July 31st. Details are obtain able from the General Secretary, S.L.A.E., Finsbury Circus House, Blomfield Street, London, E.C.2. July 25. July 25. July 25- Aug. 3 July 26 July 26 July 27- Aug. 1. Aug. Aug. Aug. Aug. Aug. Aug. Aug. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. 1. 1-3. 8-13 22. 22. 29. 30. 3-10 6 7-13 12. 14. Sept.14-17 Sept, 15 FORTHCOMING EVENTS .'"At Homes," R.N. Air Stations Ford and Stretton. . R.Ae.C.: National Air Touring Competition. B.G.A. National Gliding Championships, Great Hucklow. R.A.F. Model Aircraft Association: United Kingdom Champion ships, St. Athan. International Radio-Controlled Models' Society: Aircraft Contests, Southend-on-Sea Airport. Aero-Club de France: Parachuting Championships, Blois-Le- Breuil. Opening of Jan Smuts Airport. Johannesburg. S.M.A.E.: World Model Championships, Cranfield. Round-Switzerland Air T«ur. A.T.A. Association : A.G.M. and Summer Reunion, White Waltham. Coventry Air Day and Siddeley Challenge Trophy Race Vintage Aeroplane Club: Rally, White Waltham. Aero-Club d'ltalia: Pescara Rally. Ae>o-Club de Cannes: Cannes Grand Prix. S.M.A.E.: "Yorkshire Evening News" Model Flying Festival, Sherburn-in-Elmet. S.B.A.C.: Farnborough Display and Exhibition. "At Home," R.N. Air Station Eglinton. R.Ae.S Wilbur Wright Memorial Lecture: "Structures", by Prof. N. J. Hoff, F.R.Ae.S., F.I.Ae.S. R.Ae.S. and I.Ae.S.: Anglo-American Aeronautical Conference. Battle of Britain Day.
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