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Aviation History
1910
1910 - 0910.PDF
1/liGHT Mr. Mann brought out his monoplane, which now has a Bleriot tail fitted in place of the non lifting type formerly in use. The machine made several hops, but the engine, which is a four-cylinder air cooled Jap of 18-20-h.p., was not exerting enough pull, and it is doubtful if it is powerful enough to fly the machine really well. Later in the afternoon Mr. Holder managed to repair his petrol pipe, and rising to a height of 50 ft. executed a splendid sharp turn, which concluded the day's flying. The Seddon biplane, about which little has been heard lately, is still in the hands of a large staff of mechanics, who are finishing off the thousand and one little items which crop up in the final stages. Lieut. Seddon's leave unfortunately expired just before the machine was ready for testing, but he hopes to be back again in a few weeks' time, when we may hear more of this interesting machine. On Saturday, the 29th ult., Mr. Holder and Mr. Bradshaw came out in the rapidly diminishing light, and made a few flights across the ground, but as a mist was settling, and neither of them could see the other, straight flights only were attempted. The Star Engineering Co. have a biplane of the Farmao type nearly completed, which will be on the flying ground in a few weeks' time. Hendon Aerodrome. DURING the past week, owing to the stormy weather, work, like in other flying grounds, has been quiet. Messrs. Everett and Edgcumbe's experimental monoplane came out after a long interval of reconstruction, but unfortunately broke a wheel and retired for repairs. Captain Hinds Howell's Howard Wright monoplane has not been out this week. M. Prier (instructor of the BIdriot School) was unable to fly last week owing to a rather serious injury to his hand caused by tearing off his nail whilst removing his overalls. However, he was sufficiently recovered to give some fine exhibitions on Monday, 31st ult. These flights were carried out in a gusty wind and were remarkable for some turns of unusually small radius, and as usual for very neat and finished vol plants. Mr. Weir (a pupil of the BUiriot School) during his third lesson succeeded in rising off the ground and alighting successfully and in his fourth lesson made several good flights of practically the whole length of the ground. We understand that so far he has had no breakage. NOVEMBER 5, 1910. The Aeronautical Syndicate's passenger carrying "Valkyrie II" was out for rolling practice and testing on Monday afternoon. We understand that two similar machines to " Valkyrie I " are well on the way to completion. New Forest Aviation School. THOUGH the wind has been somewhat boisterous, the general weather conditions have slightly improved during the past week, and pupils at Beaulieu have had a few more opportunities for practice than during the previous week. On Monday afternoon Major Cook made an excellent circular flight, covering nearly 3 miles at art altitude of about 60 ft. Considering that this was his first complete circuit, and a tricky wind of over 10 miles an hour prevailed, he maintained excellent control, and did quite enough to prove that his pilot's certificate is only a question of getting favourable weather for the tests. The competition between Barrington Kennett and Cook as to being the first pupil at Beaulieu to gain a brevet (and with it the cup offered by the principals) is now extremely keen, and either probably will succeed in the course of a few days. Wilson is not going to be long behind them, and Poggioli is also well on the way to the desired end. Kempton Cannon commenced " rolling " this week and shows extreme keenness. Salisbury Plain. ON Monday Mr. Hammond was out and did some flying at a considerable height for about ten miles. Mr. McDonald, one of the pupils, then took out the learner's machine, and made a long flight over Stonehenge and back to the hangars, finishing with a very good landing. Mr. Hammond was out again later and flew over the Army monoplane, which was lying on the ground, having come to grief, and then went on towards Devizes, flying for a considerable distance at a height of about 1,500 ft. Mr. McDonald was also up again, and after making a flight of about 5 miles around Stonehenge, at a considerable height, he returned at the same time as Mr. Hammond, and both machines from different directions came down opposite the hangars, making excellent landings. In a sub sequent trip Mr. McDonald was flying at a height of about 200 ft., and making a most excellent show for a pupil. There seems to be no doubt that the pupils on the Bristol machines make very rapid progress, and are able to get through their course within a few weeks. HOW I LEARNT TO FLY. By MAURICE DUCROCQ. As an aviator I occupy a unique position. Accident of birth has made me a Frenchman, accident of business has kept me in England ; the result of these two accidents and an intense desire to conquer the air has been that I am the only Frenchman who has ^^y • M. Maurice Ducrocq, the first Frenchman to learn to fly at a British aviation school and to secure the Royal Aero Club's pilot certificate. 908 taken his pilot's certificate in this country. From start to finish I have accomplished my desire in twenty lessons, and I greatly doubt whether France, far in advance as it is of England, could have served me better. I ought to add here that, before my first lesson, I had never been in an aeroplane and had had no previous experience on gliders or oscillators, and, perhaps also, that I came into the practical part of the business with an open mind and a good deal of determination. I began operations by a close survey of all schools and so called schools of aviation in England. I mention no names, but there is no harm in saying that last August there were no schools actually in being within easy reach of London. One there was which had neither aeroplane nor pilot; another had an aeroplane but no engine ; another had an engine but no pilot; another, even others, had insufficient engines, or planes which declined (very properly) to take the air. All this was most unsatisfactory to my mind. I was prepared to pay and pay well for instruction, but not for nothing. Then by accident on the telephone I heard that a man had produced a Farn.an at uicoklands, had started the Gnome, that capricious spinning monster, at the first turn of the propeller, and made a fine flight. This I heard was his debut in England. Having made enquiries I went to M. Blondeau at Brooklands with my desires and proposals. I found that he was in partnership with Mrs. Hewlett, whom he is also teaching to fly, and that they were prepared to teach me from that moment. My lessons began immediately, with the result that I passed the Royal Aero Club tests for my pilot's certificate on October 21st in a wind varying from 12 to 20 m.p.h. The method is simple, and the manner of tuition is quiet and sym pathetic. M. Blondeau is a Frenchman, but speaks English, and has lived several years on this side of the Channel. He has had eight years in the construction of motors, and drove one of his own make in the Paris to Madrid race. He went over to the Farman School last January with Mrs. Hewlett, and while learning there he spent his time in the workshops, actually working himself. He also studied the Gnome near Paris. He is a very quiet man, hardly ever making
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