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Aviation History
1962
1962 - 2339.PDF
606 FLIGHT International, 11 October 1962 LETTERS... suitable but to many of us still jar optically and/or aurally. This happy breed of well-meaning perfectionists are often referred to as "nitpickers"—among other things. I suppose that a more apt reference for this "type" could be coined, as on consulting my Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, nothing is listed between "nit" and "nitty" that might apply, with the possible exception of "nithing"—an unfair and too drastic appellation. Personally, I feel that the application of logic to the accept ance of new words doesn't always hold water, as the English language, for one, is full of illogical anomalies. If I may digress from the aviation theme for a few lines, I quote the most amusing example I have seen which emphasises this point:— " We'll begin with a box and the plural is boxes, But the plural of ox is oxen not oxes, Then one fowl is a goose, but two are called geese, Yet the plural of moose should never be meese, You may find a lone mouse or a whole set of mice, Yet the plural of house is houses not hice. If the plural of man is always called men, Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen ? If I speak of a foot, and you show me your feet, And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet ? If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth, Why should not the plural of booth be beeth ? Then one may be that, and three would be those, Yet hat in the plural wouldn't be hose, We speak of a brother and also of brethren, But though we say mother we never say methren, Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him, But imagine the feminine she, shis and shim." The above appeared in a Berlin magazine, in reply to the indignant criticisms of a Briton learning German. He was complaining bitterly about the illogicality of German grammar. As a corollary, how about the logical trap of a literal translation? When serving with the RAF in Germany I heard passed in innocence Fledermaus frau for batwoman and blond genug for "fair enough." Surely it all boils down to the fact that provided a new word or expression does not offend the ear and eye and it is descriptive, like "prang," "blast-off," "cheesed off," "roll out," etc, it should be accepted. What do become confus ing to the dictionary compilers, however, are, for example, the alternative and controversial terms such as hold-off and flare-out; and the host of suggestions so far offered to describe that new and controversial form of transport the Hovercraft. Here I must stop before 1, too, get branded as a "nitpicker." London SW15 F. M. HENRY Radar-calibrating Autogriros Snt,—If Mr L. S. Armandias (Letters, September 6) cares to read the Hotspur comic for September 8 he will see his wish come true. The story of the Cierva C-30 Autogiros and their radar testing was shown in "The Greatest Air War" series. Leighton Buzzard, Beds RICHARD STUBBS (Aged 9£) Airfield Service SIR,—"Fred's" letter (September 13) strikes deep, since the promotion of higher standards of airmanship can only come from more and more flying of the right kind, particularly involving less "jampot flying." In this enlightened age, an increase in sporting and social flying is essential to the expansion of executive flying. The present practice of charging "five-star" landing fees for "one-star" airfield service will have to be resolved if we are not to compare with so many post-war hotels. An aerodrome rating system is the only possible chance of ensuring some minimum value of service to the customer, and it surely lies at the door of a consortium of the Royal Aero Club, ABAC, PFA, BGA and others, in association with Which ?, to protect the aviator against airfield owners who charge high fees for inadequate facilities. The rating system must ensure that only airfields which are meticulously maintained, and provide full technical, navi gational and social facilities, are entitled to charge the 100 per cent rate per weight, and that this standard is main tained by annual inspection, or the submission by customers of a certain number of satisfactory reports. It is also worth noting that when you refuel your car you are not charged a parking fee for using the pump forecourt! The profit margin on aviation fuel might well be deducted from the landing fee, if the latter exceeds (say) 5s. Christleton, Chester R. B. STRATTON Youngest Pilot? SIR,—J. R. Cherry-Downes (Letters, August 9) may well be the youngest PPL holder. He is, however, by no means the youngest pilot Miss Delphine Gray-Fisk, a member of the London Glid ing Club, started flying dual in gliders at 11 and was well up to solo stage years before she was legally permitted to solo at 16. On her first solo soaring flight she not only obtained her "C" certificate but reached 4,500ft and obtained Silver "C" height as well. On reaching the advanced age of 17 years 2 months she soloed in an Auster and should have her PPL quite soon; however, she is handicapped by still being at school and can only fly in the holidays, so may be a few months behind your correspondent if you don't count soaring as flying. London N10 PETER FLETCHER No Backing Up? SIR,—Many of your readers may have noticed, in the daily press of September 15, a case where a man was fined for parking his car the wrong way round by a meter. This is, of course, yet another indication of the official opposition to backward-facing seats. London Wl F. LE FORGERON Clandestine Operations SIR,—My publisher has commissioned me to write a book about the clandestine operations of the Lysander and other squadrons which used to convey agents to and from Occuped Europe. I should be grateful if any readers who have first-hand experience of this matter would be so kind as to write to me. Avon House, R. L. T. BICKERS The Avenue, Sneyd Park, Bristol 9 FORTHCOMING EVENTS Oct 11 RAeS: "Internal Air Transport in Australia," by J. L. Watkins. Oct 12 The British Interplanetary Society: a.g.m. and Presidental Address, "The Origin and Early Develop ment of Astronautics." Oct 12 RAeS Cambridge: Film evening. Oct 13 British Interplanetary Society Midlands): Film evening. Oct 16 RAeS: "Glider Development since the War," by F. G. Irving. Oct 16 RAeS Christchurch Branch: "It's all Yours," by Capt Rymer Oct 17 RAeS Coventry Branch: "Rain Erosion," by A. A. Fyall. Oct 17 Kronfeld Club:"ItfordHill Gliding 40th Anniversary," by Dr A. E. Slater. Oct 17 RAeS Agricultural Aviation Group: "Agricultural Aviation in Russia," by E. A. Smirnov. Oct 22 RAeS Historical Group: "Early Days at Farn- borough" by Brig P. W. L. Broke-Smith. Oct 24 RAeS Graduates' and Students' Section: "Hover craft," by R. A. Shaw. Oct 24 Kronfeld Club: a.g.m. and Film, "Victory at Sea." Oct 26 RAeS Man Powered Aircraft Group: "Problems Encountered in Man-powered Flight," by E. C. Clear Hill and J. C. Wimpenny.
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