AIR TRAVEL WANTED

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 27

AIR TRAVEL WANTED

BUT MUST EE SAFER

LESSONS OF g AIR SHOW __* - ■ ■

Two fundamental considerations to a considerable extent lifting the veil from the future of aviation as a desirable and acceptable mode of transport, stand out at the third annual allAmerican .Aircraft- Show at Detroit.. The first fact is that the average person is now either ready to'trust the aeroplane as a passenger carrier, or is willing to be convinced that it is a safe means of covering mileage quickly. This1 air-mindedness was clearly, demonstrated to manufacturer , and exhibitors who had more than 125 ships assembled in the exposition building and on the flying field. Long lines of both (men and women waited patiently to climb aboard to enjoy the sensation of going aloft for the first time. The concessionaires were unable to accommodate all who desired«to fly, and on several occasions ground attendants ceased selling tickets for lack of equipment and 'plane, capacity. ' Interest in every phase of the exposition was intense. ■ ' . ■:,■'■ The second important' matter is safety. Those who have been in olose touch with aeronautical development have had it brought home to them that any remaining risks'in air' travel must bo removed as quickly as possible. "We cannot be satisfied with, the present 'plane," said W. B. Stout; president of the Stout Air Service, Inc., of Dearborn. "We are forced, to move on quickly. Every added device for safety and comfort should be available now. Who wDI produce the first 'plane of general appeal? Whoever does will establish an industry greater than that of any motor-car company." The-Society of Automotive Engineers sensed the importance of the safety consideration and made it an important part of their aeronautical division convention, which was called to meet while the All-American Aircraft-Show was in progress. One of the most important discussions announced was "The Development of Safe Aeroplane, the Curtiss Tanager," by T. .P. Wright, chief engineer of the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company. In January the Tanager was awarded the first prize in the great Guggenheim safe aircraft competition. " : -In line with this safety: movement was the announcement of tho removal of the veil of mystery which has for many months surrounded the Packard Diesel aircraft engine, a model of which was exhibited at the air show. Captain L. M. Woolsoii, designer of this engine, which has now been developed to.tho point of quantity production, at ■■ the Packard described in detail ,this new power plant at the engineers' banquet. Engineers have Accepted the Packard-Diesel as a great stride'toward safety, as it does away'entirely ■with gasoline and ignition systems. REMOVES FIRE RISK. "Thousands of hours of ground and flight testing have conclusively proved that it is impossible to ignite the fuel oil used in this engine," said Mr. Woolson. "It is virtually essential to atomise this fuel into a very fine spray before it can be ignited at all, and at no time has it been possible to start a • fire under any conditions simulating the result of an aeroplane crash or acci- ' dental breakage" of the fuel-line in flight." ' .. In speaking of future development < in its relation to the general . public, Mr. Stout said that the aeroplane of the future .must be able to fly in calm air, under automatic control. "It must come out of a dive under automatic control, and assume its pro-per-gliding angle; it should not spin of itself, and when forcibly spun should come out quickly. The pilot must have a clear range ahead in all weather at all. flying angles, and also to the rear on top. Approaching a field the pilot should at all times bo able to see the spot where he aims to land." Mr. Bay Cooper, manager of the1 Aircraft Show, attributed the unusual interest to tho fact that spectators had for. the first time been afforded an opportunity to. step. out of the building to the field and sec actual demon- • strations at intimate range. Stunt flying, however, had been, banned by the management. i ;