THE STRATOSPHERE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 29 November 1933, Page 2

THE STRATOSPHERE

FIRST AEROPLANE United Proas Association—By Electric TBlegraph—Copyright) (Received 29th November, 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, 28tli November. The “Daily Herald’s” aviation editor says that the first arcoplane built, to explore the stratosphere, the Furman, “flying safe,” is ready for its great adventure, and will shortly be tested. It will attempt the altitude record early in 1934. Theoretically it is capable of ascending to an altitude of over twelve miles. The cabin consists of a hermetically sealed metal “safe,” in which two occupants will receive filtered air pumped therein. When once sealed within the cabin the pilot will fly blind and rely entirely on his instruments. Special fuel will be used similar to that supplied to the machines which flew over Mt. Everest. The final difficulty has now been overcome —the provision of a variable pitch propeller enabling the pilot to change gear as he reaches thin air. Theorists believe that if the engine power can be maintained in t’lio rarefied air at great heights, a speed of 800 to 1000 miles hourly is attainable.