SAFETY IN THE AIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19799, 21 November 1927, Page 9

SAFETY IN THE AIR.

SUCCESS OF NEW DEVICE. MINIMISING THE DANGERS. AN INVENTION OF BRITAIN. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received November 19, 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON, Nov. 19. The experimental flight of an Army aeroplane fitted with automatic safety wing slots had greatly impressed the Secretary for Air. Sir Samuel Hoare, who travelled in the machine as a passenger. The test provided a most thrilling flight. The machine safely did all the things which it should not do, including some which formerly would have meant certain death. Sir Samuel Hoare said the success of the flight was gratifying. The invention was from "first to last a British contribution to aviation, and the success was the result of private and official co-operation. The Air Ministry has ordered that all oflicial aircraft must be fitted with the device except the single fighter class. The invention may be adapted to suit this class later. * • The device is tho invention of Mr. Handley Page, the aircraft designer. The slots are designed to give the pilot lateral control when flying slowly, and when in such a position as would ordinarily mean the stalling of the engine and a fatal spin, to which danger is attributed approximately 90 per cent, of all aeroplane accidents.