BRENNAN'S HELICOPTER

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14774, 13 October 1921, Page 2

BRENNAN'S HELICOPTER

EXPERIMENTAL FLIGHTENDS IN A CRASH. (Australian and >hZ. Cable Asbti.) LONDON. October It. During an experimental flight at Faroborough, Brennan's helicopter crashed from :>OO feet. The noise was heard a mile away. , The pilot and observer were practically unhurt, bavin-' used a special prol.ecl.ive basket, device, which can be manipulated in an emergency to envelop the riser The ohject of applying lhc principle of the helicopter to aircraft is to obtain a machine which will exert a direct lift and will be capable of hovering. There is nothing new in the idea of direct ascent by means of large screws rotating on a vertical axis, but inventors in France as well as Britain have been trying to solve tlie problem of turning this' principle, into mechanical utility; 'it is not sufficient to provide merely for a direct, lift, it is required also that the machines shall be capable of horizontal flight and be dirigible, it is also necessary to provide for safety in the event of engine failure. The effect of the hcliocopter upon aviation may be of very great importance, at any rate where certain specialised types of aircraft are concerned. As to safety, it may conceivably help to solve the problem of landing in the case Of light machines.