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Aviation History
1969
1969 - 1687.PDF
440 FLIGHT International, 20 March 1969 LETTERS . . . For example the Beech King Air, using maximum cruise power, might be indicating 200kt at 8,000ft on one flight and 135kt at 2,500ft on the next. Obviously the change in aircraft pitch attitude is considerable, and it is irritating to a pilot to have to fly with a pitch reference iin above or below his horizon bar for pro longed periods of time. More than irritating—I suspect that it invalidates part of his subconscious picture of how the flight and engine instruments should look during normal operations. "The argument for fixed datums is based on the assumption that the pilot flies by his artificial horizon alone. Any competent instrument pilot scans his instru ments. VSIs, aispeed indicators and altimeters all play their part in keeping him aware of the pitch attitude of the aircraft, in addition to the horizon. When a desired pitch attitude is established by reference to all these instruments, it is convenient to be able to centre the pitch reference on the horizon bar. This procedure certainly make it easier to maintain the pitch attitude, once established. "I am aware that there are differences of opinion between individuals in the Air Registration Board on this subject. Both sides can make out a good case for their particular point of view. "In my work I have as good a chance of flying many modern light aircraft as most people. If I could choose I would elect to have an adjustable pitch-reference. "'The main reason for my writing to you is the feeling that, in the past, your circulars have reflected matters of fact rather than opinion. It would be a great pity if a few circulars, pontificating a point of view which is suspect, or even obviously debatable, should destroy the confidence of pilots in the integrity of the whole Aeronautical Information Service. "Please let us have circulars on matters which are irrefutable and do not permit them to become mere sounding-boards for the doubtful opinions of pilots who fly, but do not operate, a particular class of aircraft." Leavesden Aerodrome, T. E. LAMPITT, Watford, Herts Chief Pilot, Eagle Aircraft Services Ltd SIR,—I agree with Duncan Mcintosh and his comments on this subject (Letters, February 27). Will this piece of legislation ulimately affect flight systems? Some of these have adjustable pitch datums. The most worrying point about Circular 14/1969, surely, is not particularly its contents but the fact that another bit of legislation has crept in without all parties being able to give their views. Were SBAC, BLAC and BAUA pilot committees asked for their opinions? Hucknall, Notts F. KIRK, Captain Narvik: For the Record SIR,—I am sorry to have to take issue with my friend Leslie Castlemaine (Letters, January 9). The Imperial Airways flying-boats Cabot and Caribou were not flown to Narvik by the Navy but by Imperial Airways Captains Gordon Store and S. G. Long. Benghazi. Libya R. A. B. COX Farnborough and the S.E.5a SIR,—The caption on the superb Flight colour inset (issue of February 27) of the S.E.5a is, I feel, incomplete: many of the employees at the Royal Aircraft Establish ment would like to see recorded the fact that they have a lot to do with this aircraft. The S.E.5a is jointly owned by RAE and the Shuttle- worth Trust, and the trustees are consulted before it is flown at public exhibitions. The aircraft was completely rebuilt by RAE apprentices in 1959 and since then has been maintained in flying condition by a number of devoted RAE employees in their own time. Flying it is restricted to the RAE's Commanding Officer, Experi mental Flying, and his deputy. During its recent major overhaul the S.E.5a was Te- painted in authentic World War One colours. The enclosed photograph shows what it looks like at the present time. The present paint-scheme represents an aircraft of "B" Flight, No 56 Sqn. RAE, Farnborough, ALAN W. HALL, Hants Editor, "RAE News" "Kamikaze" Connotation SIR,—For the record, may I correct three points which arise in Paul C. Hewett's letter in the February 13 issue of Fiightt The name Kamikaze was given to the wind which destroyed a Mongol fleet, attempting an invasion of Japan, on August 15 and 16, 1281. Japanese script, when written in a line rather than up and down, is always read left to right. The characters printed, while they do read Kamikaze if read from the right, would not be used to write this word, the correct characters, respectively representing "Kami" and "Kaze," being: v • - rT J** Hillingdon, Middx GERALD HEALEY Identified Flying Objects? SIR,—Speaking as a passenger who has flown, over the past 15 years, a good few thousand miles with most of the world's airlines, I would site as serious potential hazard the incredible amount of hand luggage which cabin staffs permit passengers to bring on board with them. It is not uncommon to see people stagger on board carrying piles of clothing on hangers which are then draped across empty seats, several handbags of various shapes and sizes, three overcoats, odd parcels, and the inevitable duty-free parcels. I have always wondered what would happen in the event of a hard landing with all this junk flying around the cabin; fortunately, I've never had to find out, although ages ago I recall seeing quite a lot hit the ceiling on a Qantas Constellation coming up from Sydney to Darwin during a storm. Can't cabin staff prevent people from bringing all this loose gear on board? London SW5 JAMES S. RUSBRIDGER SAS's Safety Record SIR,—I refer to the letter from Thomas Blickle in your February 13 issue. In actual fact the number of persons killed in the accident on July 4, 1948, was 32, and not 30. However, he omits mention of two later accidents, both of which were fatal. On October 2, 1948, Sand- ringham LN-IAW was hit by a squall whilst alighting at Hommelvik, capsized, and sank with a loss of 19 lives. Five months later, on February 8, 1949, Viking OY-DLU crashed in the Oresund, off Landskrona. in thick fog; 28 persons were killed. I am quite unable to trace any further accidents. London NW6 JOHN M. DA VIS Diary this week: page 442
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