Flying No Hazard

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 3, 5 January 1937, Page 5

Flying No Hazard

ELABORATE PRECAUTIONS ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY.

Now that Union Airways have almost completed a year of public service and have shown by their regularity that flying is no longer a hazardous adventure, the time seems ripe to bring to the notice of the public the elaborate precautions that are taken to ensure that theso aircraft are sale in flight. Responsibility for this rests with the chief engineer, under whoso supervision a staff of some dozen men is kept continually overhauling, cleaning and repairing the aircraft. After every fiight the pilot fills in a form stating any irregularities he may have noticed in the aircraft. Tho engineers at once set to work to find the cause and to remedy such troubles; perhaps an engine is idling too fast or one of the instruments is not recording properly; it may be that one of the windows is not water-tight or that tho slow-landing flaps are not satisfactory. All these things must be dealt with before the ordinary work on the aircraft commences. The engineer in charge must satisfy himself by thorough inspection that all is as it should be. Then the aircraft must be washed and cleaned ready for tho next flight. The logbooks for tho engines and the aircraft must be filled in, showing how long each has been in service and any particular work or alteration that has been done.

After every 25 hours' flying the engines and airframe must all be overhauled in accordance with a schedule laid down by the manufacturers. For

the airframe (which for the benefit of the layman is any part of the aircraft not actively connected with the engines) all landing gear must be inspected, tyre pressures checked and tyres scrutinised to avoid as far as possible any danger of punctures. The control wires must be inspected in caSB they are beginning to fray and all hinges and bearings must be lubricated. For the engines, all the spark plugs must be cleaned and tested, valve clearances must be checked, magnetos must bo inspected and all oil and petrol leads cleaned.

After the engines have completed about 500 hours' flying they are removed from tho aircraft and taken completely to pieces. Every part is cleaned and polished and many are placed under a microscope to find flaws which may have developed in the metal. If any part is not absolutely all right it is removed aud replaced by a new ono. All details of the work done and the part number of any new part fitted must be entered in the log-book of that particular engine and signed by a qualified engineer.

Once every year the airframe is inspected by a Government official who stipulates certain work to be done to make the aircraft thoroughly t safe. Spars in the wings, bolts in the airframe, fabric, control wires, undercarriage and tail wheel, all are inspected and tested. If the official is not satisfied with any part, then that part must be replaced. The aircraft must be weighed since any increase in the machine itself will be deducted from its permitted freight capacity. Then the aircraft will be tested in flight and if the inspector is satisfied that the aircraft meets his requirements he issues

a certificate of airworthiness, which, provided the aircraft is not damaged or altered, will remain valid for a year. No commercial aircraft is allowed to fly without this certificate except for special tests. All parts used for repairs must have passed a Government test or be in accordance with Government specifications, and it is the duty of licensed engineers to know and understand these specifications. Ground engineers' licenses are divided into three classes, one group being for engines, one for airframes and one for instruments and accessories. The license of each engineer is endorsed showing clearly for which partiteular type of engine or airframe the engineer is qualified. From tho foregoing it will be readily understood that to maintain commercial aircraft in an airworthy condition is no light task and it is a great credit to the engineers as well as the pilots, that in one short year of life Uon Airways have attained such a degree of efficiency that “one can tell the time" by them.