November 29, 1920

November 29, 1920

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Ignition from the Engineman’s Viewpoint

By Capt. George E. A. Hallett14 min

Airplane Flight Instruments

By Kurt Bennewitz11 min

Pressure Gages for Airplanes

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More Features
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Ignition from the Engineman’s Viewpoint

It is intended to discuss ignition in this paper in a broad and non-technical way. The definition of the word ignition should be broad enough to include the complete functioning of the ignition apparatus, beginning from the point where mechanical energy is absorbed to generate current and ending with the completion of the working stroke of the engine.

By Capt. George E. A. Hallett14 min

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Airplane Flight Instruments

The task of watching the position of his airplane in space, occupies the pilot continuously, whether consciously or unconsciously. He does this generally by eye and by feel, and his eye is generally the more satisfactory guide. When his eye fails him, as in fog or on a dark night he can only rely on feel, and in such a case even a good pilot may feel at a loss.

By Kurt Bennewitz11 min

356357

Pressure Gages for Airplanes

Thorn are three systems of gasoline feed in use on airplanes: (1) Gravity, in which the flow of gasoline to the carburetor is maintained by the hydrostatic pressure of the gasoline, the tank being higher than the carburetor. (2) Air pressure, in which the air is pumped into the tank above the gasoline by means of a hand pump or a pump driven from the engine or by a small propeller and sufficient pressure maintained to assure the flow to the carburetor.
350351

Sand Test of Flying Boat Controls

The following is a summary of the tests on the controls of an Aeromarine Model 40 Flying boat. Construction of Control Surfaces The ailerons are constructed similar to the wing. The front and rear beams are spruce of I-section. White pine webs and spruce cap strips and trailing edge are used.
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The Van Meter Parachute Release

The general trend of parachute design has been to have the wearer jump from the aircraft. The parachutes so far developed function well when the wearer is able to jump so that he and the parachute clear the machine. During a spin or other evolution occurring when the machine is out of control, the aviator cannot very well walk out on the wing and if he attempts to jump from the cockpit there is considerable danger of fouling the tail.
358359

The German Aircraft Industry

The aircraft industry in Germany has almost ceased to exist, so far as construction is concerned, new building being forbidden under the terms of the treaty. A good deal of building of new airplanes and remodelling of military machines for commercial purposes, however, went on between the time of the armistice and the going into effect of the stipulations of the treaty, and the machines produced at that time are now being used to some extent.

By Edward P. Warner6 min

348349

Some Experiments with Model Airplanes

Experiments have been made both in Eiffel’s laboratory and in the National Physical Laboratory in England to determine the static stability in pitch for models with the elevator set in various positions. Since a machine is balanced to fly at one angle and speed, to alter the speed, the climb or the glide, the elevator must be displaced from its normal position and held in its new position.

By Albert A. Merrill5 min

352353

Col. Charles DeF. Chandler Retires

Col. Chandler has been retired from the Army for physical disability after a distinguished career. He was born at Cleveland on December 24, 1878, and educated in the Cleveland public schools and Case School of Applied Science, E. E. course.
352353

Needed: A Bureau of Naval Aeronautics

While the Hicks Bill creating a Bureau of Aeronautics did not pass at the last session of Congress, it is of such immediate importance to the development of Naval aeronautics that it is hoped that it will be taken up and passed at the coming session.
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European Nations Encouraging Commercial Aviation

“All Europe is working secretly trying to develop planes with which to dominate the air,” according to C. L. Egtvedt, Chief Engineer for the Boeing Airplane Company, who returned Nov. 3, on the White Star Liner Olympic, after visiting all important aircraft factories in Great Britain, France and Germany.
NOVEMBER 221920 DECEMBER 61920