AVIATION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 191, 2 August 1930, Page 10

AVIATION

“Wing Tips”)

(By

A device that will eventually become a standard equipment on most, if not all, makes of flying machines, and one that equals the HandleyPage slotted wing now fitted to many 'planes of popular proved desgn, is that of ’plane wing tips tilted to increase stabilising. Interest is being shown by aeronautical engineers in this device, introduced by Professor Hans Hocke,, Czecho-Slovakian designer and inventor, and aimed towards increasing the stabilising of aeroplanes. Professor Hocke equipped a small SavoiaMarchetti amphibian, built by the American Aeronautical Corporation, with wing tips, and preliminary flights are said to have shown increased stability to a craft declared already to be stable. The wing tips are described as turning upwards, making a sharp dihedral. They come to a point with the wing towards its leading edge, and widen as they approach the edge. It is the claim of the designer that a 'plane cannot go into an involuntary spin if equipped with them. He also asserts that it is impossible to side-slip, and that no matter what position the pilot puts the 'plane in, it will come out into normal flying position

In his first efforts, the designer hinged the tips and connected them with cabin controls. However, he learned by experience that in actual use they did not deviate much from the angle found to be most efficient. In later models the tips have been fixed, and the performance leads Professor Hocke to believe that ultimately this is the form they will take.

THE CLOCK WATCHER.

A certain member of a certain club (we refrain from mentioning names) in the early stages of solo, took off for half an hour's flight. After about an hour, various people were sent out on to the aerodrome to wave flags at him, as the aircraft was needed for another pupil. Eventually the soloist saw these activities and concluded that some part of the aircraft had fallen off. Pulling himself together, he made a landing and inquired what the trouble was about, as he had not finished his half-hour. It was then discovered that the clock had stopped shortly after taking off, and he had been flying for an hour and a-quarter. Flying Officer E. G. Olson, having resigned his position on the instructional staff of the Club, has left the district. He is taking up a staff position in the New Zealand Permanent Air Force, and reports for duty on August 1. The club as a whole has been loth to lose his services, for he has proved himself to be a most capable and popular officer. Our club can ill afford losing “Ted”; yet with one accord he goes with the best of wishes for success in his new position. Prior to his departure, occasion was taken to present him with a small token of the esteem in which he was held during an informal evening at the residence of Mr and Mrs Guy Field. The heavy southerly winds which reached hurricane force last Monday afternoon and night, did considerable damage to the club’s hangars. This mishap is another setback for the club, which can ill afford such a shock on its fiances, for the cost of rebuilding will he considerable.

It is very disheartening in the extreme to some of the ardent members of the club, who have put in a lot of time, hard work and cash, to improve the hangar facilities at the 'drome, to see their efforts brought to nought in a few minutes.

The position now created is practically ‘as you were,” but let us not be discouraged, but up and doing, and some day have the pride and pleasure of knowing that our pioneer efforts have succeeded.

The trials and troubles that the club has experienced since the inauguration have been a sure test in enthusiasm for some of its active members.

During the last fortnight, what with unfavourable wintry weather conditions and having both instructors away, flying activities have been practically at a standstill. Some of the flying members have, nevertheless, been active, in so much as they have assisted in the erection of a muchneeded office and locker-room, also an extra workshop for engine repairs and storage of spares.

The much talked of improvement which has been so much in the wind of late, and of which nothing so far has been done, is putting down a permanent surface in and around the one and only hangar the club now possesses. The sooner the club does something, and realises the damaging and cutting nature of the pumice dust that now constitutes the floors, the better will be conserved the finances where repairs and maintenance are concerned.

I think it time the local executive awakened to the fact that the quarterly and half-yearly meetings are overdue. A member tells me that the rank and file of the club’s membership are kept uninformed, and know little of the general and important matters relating to club activities.

Following on the suggestion in the notes last week re juniors being enrolled as members of the club for a small annual subscription, and to really get some idea of the value this opening would be to the boys and youths of this community, a prominent member has intimated to me that I should find out how many boys are sufficiently interested and anxious to become members. Fifty names of those who are willing to become associate members are asked to be sent in to “Wing Tips,” care “Tribune” Ltd., or to Mr B. M. Kessel, Hastings. On receipt of the fifty names or more, it is intended to get all the boys together at a meeting, and to have a pilot member of the club address them and tell them how interesting it will be to become members of the Flying Club, how cheap it will be to join, and what a boon it will be to the boys in every way.

Of course. we must know first how many names are forthcoming, and when the meeting is held a ballot of all those present—and there must be 50—will take place, and the winner will have his first year’s subscription paid.

There is a chance for some welldisposed and interested person or persons in this district who would

like to assist one or even two keen lads, who, through lack of the wherewithal, are not able to train and otherwise have a chance to show their ability to become an A Class pilot. A sum of £50 or £60 will train a lad of average ability in this Junior Club about to be formed, sufficiently for entrance into the R.A.F. The three machines that flew to Gisborne recently had a very busy time indeed.

Gisborne had practically a full week of sport, which drew large numbers from all round the district into town, and the three ’planes, of course, did their bit towards entertaining the crowds who were not afraid to leave Mother Earth and have the exhilarating experience of a trip among the clouds and an unsurpassed view from above.