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FLOATING TO EARTH

PARACHUTE BRINGS AEROPLANE TO. SAFE LANDING.

The first landing of a ’plane supported by a parachute eves made in the United States was reported recently. The pilot, 11. Carl Oelze, of the San Diego naval air station, shut off his motor at 2500 feet altitude, but, it is said, made no attempt at gliding. The ’plane landed in one minute and six seconds after falling at an average .speed of 38 feet per second, states the ‘‘Scientific American.” The descent appeared rapid at first but was checked as the parachute opened. The ’plane then swung from side to side, but as it approached the earth its descent became steadier. The ’plane and parachute settled to earth in a slight hollow, suffering some damage to the landing gear. The final speed at which the 'plane landed was estimated to be considerably less than the average speed. The application of the parachute to the support of the entire ’plane is the joint invention of Harry B. Doucett, chief aviation machinist’s mate at the San Diego naval air station, and of H. R. Russell, maker of the so-called Russell parachute. Lieutenant P. D, Donnelly, also of the San Diego air station, predicted that the tests would lead to the design of aircraft in which the passenger, com-, parfcment would be detachable’; so that in the event of a serious accident in the air the pilot would be able to deliver the whole compartment safely to earth. In the experiment described, plane, pilot, and equipment weighed about 1800 lbs. The' parachute weighed about 601b5., and w r as 54 feet in diameter. The ’plane used in the test was specially rebuilt to strengthen the midship section of the fuselage, which would receive the greatest strain as the parachute opened. The parachute was installed in such a manner in the fuselage that it could readily he disengaged to be carried back by the wind, then opened, and swung upward by the air-pressure. A 'special cradle of steel and aluminium was built into heavy centre wing struts. The size of, the parachute was determined from previous experience to give a landing speed of not more than 20 feet per'second. As an extra precaution the landing gear was strengthened to withstand an unexpectedly severe landingshock. The experiment is undoubtedly interesting, but it cannot he said to .be conclusive In the most dangerous aerial: difficulties, such as when the ’plane stalls a short distance from the ground aigl goes into a spin, there would be no time to use the parachute. At, greater altitudes it is much simpler for the pilot and crew to jump in individual parachutes. But for commercial craft carrying several passengers unversed in parachute jumping the development is not' without interest.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GIST19270407.2.66

Bibliographic details

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10377, 7 April 1927, Page 7

Word Count
460

FLOATING TO EARTH Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10377, 7 April 1927, Page 7

FLOATING TO EARTH Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10377, 7 April 1927, Page 7