SAFETY IN THE AIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19177, 17 November 1925, Page 9

SAFETY IN THE AIR.

TWO INGENIOUS DEVICES. AN AUTOMATIC PARACHUTE. [FEOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] LONDON, Oct. 7. A novel safety aeroplane, fitted with air brakes and a device which, in an emergency, automatically snatches the pilot from his seat and lowers him to the ground, has been constructed by Signor Pietro Magni, the Italian aeronautical engineer. The machine, which has been flown successfully, is really a monoplane, but there are two small auxiliary wings below the main plane. When the pilot is landing in a small space he moves a lever which rotates these wings until they press flat against the air and so rapidly check the machine's motion. A form of air brake working on a similar principle was fitted to the Sopwith "one-and-a-half strutter" aeroplanes.

The other safety device on the Magni monoplane.,, is extremely ingenious. On an emergency such as a collision in the air, the pilot pulls a handle. His belt is released instantly, and a parachute is ejected automatically from a recess in the fuselage behind him. The wind suddenly pressing into the parachute, causes it to whip the airman from his seat, and he is then floated safely to earth. According to the French technical reports this "safety first" aircraft has a wing span of 26.2 ft., a length of 7.2 ft., and a height, of 7.3 ft, The wing loading is 8.41b. per square and the useful load is 2821b.

Another safety device which it is claimed acts as a mechanical sixth sense to the pilot, was demonstrated at Hendon aerodrome this week. The apparatus is called the Savage-Bramson "anti-stall" gear. When the aeroplane is approaching its "stalling" speed—i.e., the speed at which it will fall —the "anti-stall" gear jogs the pilot's memory by giving the control stick a forward push. Thus the pilot is warned of the approaching danger and is able to anticipate it. A representative of Lloyd's has tested the gear in the air, and, as a result, aircraft fitted with the gear are to be given "special consideration in respect of insurance." Pilots from Imperial Airways also have tried the device and the Air Ministry has placed an order.