October 10, 1955

View Full Issue Table of Contents

AVIATION SAFETY

Poor Runway Markings Misled Pilot in Viscount Takeoff Crash

1. At approximately 11:50 a.m. on 16th January, 1955, a British European Airways Viscount aircraft G-AMOK, whilst taking off at London Airport in conditions of bad visibility due to fog, crashed into a barrier in its path erected in connection with construction work which was then, and for some time previously had been, taking place in the central area of the Airport.

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Dassault Designs Nato Light Fighter

St. Cloud, France—The first prototype of the Dassault Mystere 22 light tactical aircraft design for the French Air Force is nearing completion in the company’s experimental shop here. Although aerodynamically similar to the Dassault Super Mystere supersonic fighter now entering production, the 22 is much smaller—the gross weight is under 12,000 lbs.—in keeping with its light-fighter concept.

By David A. Anderton9 min

Satellite Research

Skyhooks May Become Space Platforms

Minneapolis—Skyhook balloons, originally developed as vehicles for very-high-altitude measuring and calibrating systems, have evolved into potential weapons carriers. They already have been used as high-altitude platforms for launching rockets and, their adherents hope, may eventually solve the problem of how to carry the recently-proposed space satellite through the first stage of its journey.

By George L. Christian9 min

At RTCA Conference:

Usaf Condemns Traffic Control System

Washington—A double-barreled attack against the inadequacies of the air traffic control system operated by the Civil Aeronautics Administration and lack of action in solving them was made by two government aviation experts. The attacks, touched off at the semiannual meeting of the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics, came from:

By Preble Staver6 min

AVIONICS

New Handbook to Guide Design of Airlines’ Avionics Equipment

Whereas a military aircraft and its avionics equipment may sit idle for much of their useful life, an airliner and its equipment must operate reliably for 10 or more hours a day—easily 10 times the use-hours of ordinary military aircraft.

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

New Wing Design Secret Behind 1649a’s Greater Range and Speed

Burbank, Calif.—Lockheed’s 1649A Super Constellation will gain up to 2,000 mi. range and 70 mph. over its earlier sister ships, company officials reported last week, because of a new, thinner wing design incorporating a greater fuel-carrying capacity and boasting a “minimum-drag” profile.

By Irving Stone5 min

October 31955

October 171955

October 10, 1955

October 10, 1955