Radio Beacons

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 66, 19 March 1936, Page 2

Radio Beacons

INSTALLATION IN ENGLAND. LONDON. The first "blind approach” equipment at a British airport has just been installed. It is at Heston Airport, on the Great- West Road. It is.the Lorenz system, now in use at Toinplehof aerodrome, Berlin, and some other European stations. It con sisis of two radio beacons placed along the greatest runway of the aerodrome. One is about two miles and the other about 1200 yards from the boundary. Each sends out a constant radio callsign which is picked up by the pilot when flying towards the aerodrome. When flying purely with the help of instruments in fog or low cloud, he can plot a compass course direct to tho side of the aerodrome on which the beacons are situated. When over the distant beacon, he will pick up its signals, descend to about SOO feet, throttle back the engines and begin to glide. Another Signal The pilot will bo gliding straight fur the aerodrome boundary. Wheu passing over the second beacon another signal from it will indicate to him liis distance from ’the aerodrome. By continuing the glide, ho can rely on his sensitive altimeter which registers his height above tho ground. Radio messages from the aerodrome will warn him of any changes in barometric pressure and he can correct his altimeter accordingly. When a few feet from the surface the pilot can "flatten out” to land — knowing there are no obstacles ahead with which he might collide. Tho "blind approach” equipment will in time enable air liners to reach their home stations in practically all but the thickest of fogs.