THE AEROPLANE ACCIDENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15482, 13 December 1913, Page 4

THE AEROPLANE ACCIDENT.

Sir,—l visited Auckland with the intention of witnessing the aeroplaas. flight on December 6, and was exceedingly sorry to see the announcement, at your office of tie wreck of Sanford and Miller's biplane at Now Lynn, and of the serious injuries sustained bv Mr. Sail ford. I sincerely hope ho will make a rapid recovery and will reappear in tlio field undaunted by his recent unfortunate experience. I hold similar views to your correspondents—Messrs. A. DTrendall and A. J. Morrish. Mr. Moorish says New Zealand has led the world in many ways, and I believe that New Zealand could outstrip other countries, and srive the world what it lias vainly scekod hitherto, viz., '' automatic r.tabilitj." I experimented with models in March, 1907,' and satisfied myself I had discover tea secret (simplicity itself) and would willingly have given the information to any responsible person interested in aeronautics, but refrained from doing so, with full knowledge of the scepticism to he confronted. From published accounts of San ford raid Miller's 5 to 10 minute flights. I (lathered that their biplane was fitted with an obsolete rigid motor. The failure of the aeroplane to clear the fenca proved the engine at fault- and not the aviator. A satisfactory motor would have lifted the dampened wings, sodden as the)' were, with an additional load of a passenger and cleared the fence w'th easeSuch a motor would cost £500; the total cost of a. machine £1000 and upwards. Anv machine under this price would be unsafe. Not only can ''automatic stability" be assured, but- an aeroplane onco having attained a suitable height can fly continuously irrespective of motive power —actuated by gravity and the elements combined: thereby imitating the natural flight of the soaring albatross, and a great deal of the present danger of living ran l" 5 eliminated. This may seem a bold assertion. but can be proved on investigation. I heartily join your correspondent- m calling on New Zealanders '<•> assist these unfortunate young aviators financially alia otherwise, for I thoroughly sympathies with them ; having cone through the mill mvself. Perhaps the Government would form an aerial defence corps, aim give these young experimenters ever.' possible encouragement, There is no time like the present and I trust New Zealand will not) remain in the background regarding aeronautics. 0 IT. Drctkt. Handy, December 8. ISI3.