Foolproof Flying Machines For Average Citizen

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 2, 4 January 1939, Page 3

Foolproof Flying Machines For Average Citizen

PHILADELPHIA. The prospect that the average citizen can own a foolproof flying machine in the future was voiced by Dr. Alexander Klemin, chairman of the Guggenheim School of Aeronautics at New Yorli University. In a speech prepared for the opening session of the world’s first conference on rotating wing flight, Dr. Klemsu said one type of so-called “windmill” aircraft “is apparently the very final step in man’s conquest of the air as far as flexibility and ability to achieve anything more than native has achieved with bird and insect.” Sessions of the two-day conference are being held at the Franklin Institute. He warned against undue optimism for the present, however, because many imposing engineering problems remain to be solved before private flying even approaches the casualness of automobile driving. Reviewing 20 years of experimentation in “windmill” flight, as opposed to conventional “fixed-wing aeroplane flight, he told the meeting of aeronautical engineers and manufacturers that the ordinary airplane could not hope to equal the stability and safety features of rotary wing craft. He added quickly that the ’plane developed on principles established by the Wright brothers, however, remained more efficient and much faster, and “there is not the slightest chance that the aeroplane will be in any way outmoded by rotary wing aircraft.” He described two general classifications of windmill planes: the autogiro t or gyroplane, which has a canopy of lifting blades, revolving as a blast of wind strikes them, and the helicopter, with blades which are spun like automobile wheels—with power applied by a motor. The autogiro, first brought to th;-» country in 1928 by Juan de la Cierva, the Spaniard—killed two years ago in an airliner crash near London —uses an ordinary aeroplane propellor for propulsion, whereas a helicopter achieves horizontal flight by titling the entire windmill. Dr. Klemin pointed out that neither type of craft can “stall” or spin, ana that both can be made to rise and descend vertically and loaf along at speeds of five to 16 miles an hour. The “jumpoff” or vertical autogiro was introduced in the United States by Harold F. Pitcairn, Philadelphia manufacturer. The last Congress appropriated 2,000,000 dollars for rotary wing research. The Army Air Corps lately has organised an autogiro squadron. “Now we know that the earth is round,” said the schoolmaster. “Tell me, Thomas, would it be possible for you to walk round the earth?” “No, sir,” replied Thomas. “And why not?” “ ’Cause,” was the unexpected reply, “I twisted my ankle playing cricket.” “I’ve no money on me,” said the man to the bully who had waylaid him in the CTark lane, “and my watch has only a sentimental value.” “Hand it over,” said the tough. “I feel like a good cry, anyway.” “Can you let me have a book, please?” asked the woman of the library assistant. ‘ 1 Certainly, ’ ’ was the reply. 1 ‘ Do you want something light?” “It doesn’t matter a bit,” said the customer, helpfully, “I have my car with me.”