WIRELESS FOR ÆROPLANES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 221, 30 December 1910, Page 3

WIRELESS FOR ÆROPLANES

MR. MARCONI'S EXPERIMENTS 1 NEW WAR VALUE, 1 r . Mr. Marconi is interesting himself in aviation, and he is endeavoring to solve two problems—the construction of an aeroplane which will rise directly from any spot, and the adaptation'of wireless telegraphy to flying machines. Mr. Margoni explained his plans in detail, emphasising the value of the adaptation of wirebss to the aeroplane in peace and war alike, and intimating flat he will very possibly fly himself in connection with his new experiments. "I am now working on an aeroplane for a syndicate in which I am interested," he said. "Important experiments have been made already- with the machine, which at present is housed in London. "It is a monoplane, and in general design does not ' differ ' niaterially' from existing .types. When completed, however, it will combine what We consider to 'be the best points of all the present makes, in addition to several new features. - ~

NO TAKE-OFF. "Not the least of these, I hope,' will be one whereby the machine will be able to rise from any position. In this connection I can only say that we are making an interesting series of experiments with propellers and other parts designed to give a sharp upward thrust or lift, and that I am very hopeful of the result. "The installation of effective wireless apparatus does not present any very grave difficulties with the right type of machine. - . * >

"In existing types of aeroplanes the whole of the pilot's attention has apparently to be concentrated on the machine itself. Unless and until this is adjusted it will be necessary to carry an additional passenger to operate the wireless instruments installed on any machine!" ' Mr. Marconi drew a striking picture of tie value of the aeroplane equipped with ■mele3s in tine of war, especially for reconnaissance work.

"Imagine," he said, "the pilot poised in his machine in view of the enemy's position. By the aid of the wireless installation he would be able not only to transmit his observations immediately to headquarters, but without leaving his post. He would thus be enabled to™communicate any change of position on the part of the enemy, the very latest developments, in fact, from time to time, keeping his c«n headquarters in constant touch w ! th the movements of the enemy. In fine, lam confident that the value of the aeroplane in war for the work mentioned would be at least trebled by the installation, of wireless apparatus. It would be difficult, indeed, to overstate its advantages."

A NEW PROBLEM. It was suggested to Mr. Marconi that wireless might 'be so adapted to the aeroplane that pilots would be able to learn, even automatically, of the pre- , sence of other pilots in their vicinity, and also of the exact position of the • other pilots, thereby minimising the dangers of collision between machines. "There is very likely something in the suggestion," replied Mr. Marconi. "But , the adaptation of wireless to the aeroplane is fraught with'a host of interesting possibilities." "Provided I can evolve a suitable machine." lie said, "provided also that time permits, I shall not hesitate to take to the air myself. I consider that the toll the air has already taken merely emphasises the need for taking every possible precaution against accidents. "My, future action will depend, however, on the result of experiments that 1 are either impending or are ibeing made, already." Mr. Marconi is speculating whether it will ever be possible to transmit power; to an aeroplane by wireless, but at pre-, sent he has no reason to believe the idea