SAFER FLYING

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 239, 6 July 1931, Page 11

SAFER FLYING

New Zealanders’ Invention NOSE-DIVE DANGERS Dominion Special Service. New Plymouth, July 3. An invention which, it is claimed, will, do much to make flying safer, and remove the danger resultant from engine stalling, has been created by Messrs. J. T. Griffen and T. Robson, of New Plymouth. The device is intended to prevent nose-diving by means of an extra wing fixed to the ordinary wings of ail aeroplane and controllable from the pilot’s cockpit by means of compressed air. The additional wing when passive will lie flat upon the top plane of the ordinary wing. It is supported by stays, which fold telescopic-fashion. Should the engine stall in mid-air, a compressed air apparatus can be brought into action to lift the extra safety wing from its recumbent position to an angle conducive to horizontal flight by virtue of the added resistance to bear upon the nose of the machine.

The telescopic stays are intended to act like piston levers. The supply of compressed air would be carried in a chamber on the machine and connected to the cylinders by an ingenious valve arrangement. The opening of the valve allows the escape of the compressed air into four cylinders, raising at the same time the safety wing. Means are being considered of providing air compression on the machine so that the supply necessary to keep the wing in position may be available on the machine. A bellows arrangement fitted at the back of the wings is also being considered with the objective of locking and retaining the wing in its emergency position.

HOME-MADE PLANE

Palmerston Man’s Work

SINGLE-SEATER TYPE

Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, July 4. A single-seater light monoplane is being constructed by Mr. H. G. Parker, of Palmerston North, who successfully built the Manawatu Gliding Club’s first glider. The machine is built to the Heath Parasol design, and is expected to be completed and ready for testing purposes in about two months’ time.

The aeroplane has a wing spread of 25 feet and a 15-foot cantilever fusilage designed by Mr. Parker. The woodwork is being constructed of Canadian spruce, and is being screwed and glued in order to give additional strength, 1400 screws being used.

The wings, which contain two petrol tanks capable of holding five gallons each, are supported above the fuselage by streamlined steel struts. The wings are to be covered with a special light aeroplane fabric which has the qualities of heavy fabric, but is 60 per cent, lighter. The landing gear of the 'plane consists of a split axle type with rubber cord shock absorbers.

Powered by a twenty-three horse-power four-cylinder air-cooled engine, the aeroplane will have a top speed of 85 miles an hour, and a cruising speed of 75 miles an hour. Its landing and taking-off speed is in the vicinity of 28 miles an hour. Capable of travelling 40 miles to the gallon of petrol, the aeroplane will have a cruising range of 400 miles.

The carrying load will be 3001 b., while the load of the machine, exclusive of the pilot, will also be 3001 b. The fuselage weighs 301 b., the tail 51b., and the wings 201 b. apiece. It will have a service ceiling of approximately *l6OO feet, and can be fitted with floats or skids instead of with wheels. The rate of climb per minute will be in the vicinity of 600 feet in the first minute.