AEROPLANE SPIN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 December 1924, Page 8

AEROPLANE SPIN.

REASONS FOB ITS HAPPENING

The most insidious peril of the air is now to be investigated officially with all resources of science. Special aeroplanes, special pilots, extraordinarily ingenious instruments—all are to be employed in the task of answering two vital questions : Why 'does an aeroplane spin? Why sometimes it is impossible to get it out of a spin? An official aeronautical research committee will he in charge of the experiments, which are expected to prove of vital importance, says the North Mail. Engine failure, or a sudden loss of control, may be the primary cause of a spin. The aeroplane gets its nose .down, slips sideways, and then begins to spin round and round, falling as it does so. However hard the pilot may work his control, ail'd no matter how ingenious the tricks he may try, the spinning machine may strike the ground with disastrous results before control of it can be regained. One theory is that the hull of a machine, when it is at certain angles, “blankets” or renders temporarily inoperative the rudder at the tail, and tests are to be made in increasing the size and altering the shape of rudders. Other theories are also to have new light thrown upon theta in actual midair manoeuvres. Several special aeroplanes are, for this purpose, to be placed entirely at the disposal of the committee, and these ’planes will be flown by the most expert of our pilots. New parachutes, evolved after proionged research by th e Air Ministry, mil be used. For the .pilot carrying out dangerous manbeuvefs an absolutely dependable parachute is invaluable. In new tests to-solve the air-spin peril, the pilot who finds it impossible to get a machine out of a spin will he able u aeroplane in his parachute, and save himself from the perils or a crash.