WHY BRITAIN WON.

Franklin Times, Volume XXII, Issue 25, 29 February 1932, Page 6

WHY BRITAIN WON.

SCHNEIDER CUP SECRET.

“STATIC CONTROL BALANCE.” After the lapse of many weeks I am able to reveal the fact (hat during the preparation for the Schneider Trophy contest Squadron-Leader (now WingCommander) A. 11. Oriebar, the Chief of the High Speed Flight, had one of the most dreaded and critical experiences in the life of an airman (writes Major C. C. Turner in the “Daily Telegraph”). One of the 1929 Schneider Trophy seaplanes, an SGA, to which new and bigger floats had been fitted to hold the greater quantity of fuel needed, was taken up by Squadron-Leader Oriebar for a first lest.

Suddenly the tail of me seaplane began to “flutter.” This is a violent and very rapid oscillation which, reacting on the pilot’s controls, cannot be stopped.

Even on an ordinary slow aeroplane undergoing preliminary type tests it is a terrifying experience, for the controls lend to master the pilot.

The controls break, and the machine falls out of control, wifli inevitably fatal results, save for a parachute, an accessory not carried in Schneider Trophy seaplanes. -

Tn the case of a machine flying at AGO miles per hour it is immeasurably more crilical and serious than in any ordinary machine. Moreover, a Schneider Trophy machine needs perfect visibility, and a clear three miles for alighting, and there is very little time to decide what is to be done in an emergency landing.

Squadron-Leader Oriebar landed at the mouth of Beaulieu River. Calshot saw it clearly, and on the instant fas f t motor-boats were dispatched in the almost vain hope of being of service.

The explanation of the flutter was synchronisation in the periods of chance vibrations, but it was very alarming occurring to a type upon which so. much depended and which had not before given any trouble.

' The sequel is no less remarkable than the escape. It was a critical period ’in the fortunes of the contest. If the worst had happened the cause would have not definitely been known, and Great Britain, besides possibly suffering further casualties, would not cal Research Committee and the Nahave won.

Bui at this juncture the Aeronautitional Physical Laboratory set to work. In the course of a week-end. of ceaseless toil the experts not only analysed the cause of the trouble but found a remedy.

They evolved the “static control balance,” a queer-looking streamlined knob on each aileron elevator, and rudder. This caused much speculation when the Schneider Trophy machines were first exhibited last September.

This was a remarkable technical triumph, to which, and above all to Wing-Commander Oriebar, our victory was due.

Wing-Commander Oriebar has just been appointed chief air staff officer to Air Commodore W. F. MacNeece Foster, commanding No. i Air Defence Group. This command adminsters

eight squadrons of the Auxiliary Air Force and five Special Reserve Cadre Squadrons, besides other details.