December 1, 1931

December 1, 1931

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Transport Planes for Profit

By A. A Gassner17 min

Increasing Power Plant Efficiency

Racing Rules and Handicap Races

By Edward P. Warner15 min

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More Features
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Transport Planes for Profit

The second of two articles. Mr. Gassner concludes his investigation of manufacturing costs and performance of a group of passenger carrying airplanes

By A. A Gassner17 min

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Increasing Power Plant Efficiency

The S.A.E. discusses superchargers and controllable pitch propellers
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Racing Rules and Handicap Races

THE mere mention of the word “handicap” is a sure way of starting an argument in any group of pilots with racing experience. It is sure to call forth a string of reminiscences of unhappy experiences with incompetent handicappers, with prejudiced or unfair handicappers, with handicapping formulas the working of which escaped human comprehension, and with similar afflictions without number.

By Edward P. Warner15 min

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Where the Industry Stands

THE condition of an industry may be gauged by what it produces—and sells. In 1931, we estimate that the aircraft industry will produce 2,520 airplanes valued at $19,289,445 and 3,566 engines valued at $13,424,290—a total value of $32,713,735. And most of this equipment has been sold.

By Charles L. Lawrance14 min

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Aircraft at Work

Death Valley Mapped Under Severe Conditions

FOR the first time the United States government has made an aerial survey the famous Death Valley in Inyo County, Cal. The area has been mapped roughly at various times but no two maps agree and the inaccessibility of the valley makes aerial survey much more effective than a ground survey could be.
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Air Express Possibilities in the United States

DURING the latter part of 1929 and the early months of 1930 the writer, acting in the interest of a large banking group, made an extensive survey covering 26 of the principal cities of the country to determine the extent of the interest on the part of merchants and manufacturers in the establishment of a countrywide air express system.

By Monte C. Abrams10 min

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Post-War Fighter Progress

THE qualities in fighter aircraft to be considered include the amount of vision obtainable, the means of communication with the ground and other planes in the group in the air, the availability of appliances for maintaining physical and psychological efficiency at high altitudes, the maneuverability characteristics, and the efficacy of the armament.

By Capt. Hans Ritter10 min

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The Airplane’s Lighting Problems

LIGHTING, as employed on presentday aircraft, in closely associated with safety. Depending upon the application, light provides safety for planes in the air or in making landings. In only one of four recognized uses for light on aircraft is it necessary for the operator to comply with Department of Commerce regulations; for the other three he can provide as much or as little light as he or his pilots deem necessary.

By D. C. Young9 min

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EDITORIALS

Buying Military Airplanes

TWENTY MILLION dollars will not stretch. What the Army and Navy can get in the way of flying equipment is finally limited by the appropriations that the Budget and Congress allow them. With the best will in the world, the military and naval authorities cannot get more out of the appropriations than there is in them.
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Statistics of the Month

Statistics of the Month

A DECREASE in fatal accidents in both scheduled operations and miscellaneous flying is reported by the Aeronautics Branch of the Department of Commerce in its analysis of accidents during the first six months of 1931. Mileage down in scheduled air transport operations during that period increased by 20 per cent over the figure for the previous year, but fatal accidents dropped from 0.35 to 0.25 per million miles flown.
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