“SPIN-PROOF” PLANE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11175, 7 April 1930, Page 3

“SPIN-PROOF” PLANE

NEW GERMAN INVENTION TESTED REMARKABLE RESULTS Germany has developed an airplane that is ‘ spin-proof." The machine is a Focke.Wult sin gle-engined monoplane for six passengers. which is in regular coraracrciaf use between Willielmshaven and Rustringen. Its unusual qualities ot' lateral stability were noticed yvheu it was tested for its licence hy the Experimental Aircraft Institute. With -the consent of the' owners the chief test pilot'of the institute, Herr von Koppen, made three iuTther test flights. The centre of gravity ua.s shifted by the disposition ot loads as -far, forward and as far aft as possible for the first and last flights. The pilot reports that this made no difference to the stability of the machine, and that he found it impossible to spin it in any of the flights, „ , During Herr von Koppen s demonstration of the airplane lie stalled it several times with the engine full out or throttled back, and each time »t appeared to return in a narrow curve to a normal flying position. He stood it vertically on the wings with tlie same result, lie then flew it low across the airdrome with- the airscrew little more than sticking over the nose weil up, but in this position it showed no tendency to spin and answered readily to the lateral controls. He lauded at not much more than walking speed, again with the engine throttled right hack. The owners do not- give details of the manner in which the stability of the machine is ac-heived beyond that it is connected with the form, of the wing section, which is reminiscent of that of the old tjiube, one of th<earliest types of German war aircraft.