200-TON SEAPLANES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 3000, 19 December 1935, Page 21

200-TON SEAPLANES.

AIRCRAFT OF FUTURE

RESEARCH OPINION,

LONDON, November 4.

The building of very large passenger aircraft, up to 200 tons weight, is predicted in the 1934-35 report of the Aeronautical Research Committee.

"A seaplane appears to be in many ways moi'e suitable for this purpose," it is stated, "and the possible development of a 200-ton flying boat has been discussed with representatives of the leading firms. No fundamental difficulties of construction are apparent'."

Further progress has been made in tlie reduction of noise in aircraft — mainly in connection with exhaust silencers. Exhaust noise has been reduced below the level of the engine clatter, making a very striking change.

"So far as passengers are concerned," it is added, "the noise of motion through the air may be greater than that of an engine fitted with a silencer. The problems encountered in endeavouring to silence aeroplanes are unending."

One cause of engine failure—the formation of ice on the carburettor — has been eliminated by adding a small quantity of alcohol to the petrol. An apparatus has now been devised which detects the onset of freezing and supplies alcohol only until the ice has flbcen dispersed. The report predicts that in the future engines for commercial aircraft will weigh not more than one pound per horso power.