A Monoplane
(From Aircraft)
Miscellaneous
French aviators are fond of employing a carefully designed car for the operator and control mechanism. The Wright designs practically ignore the car: the aviator sits on the forward edge of the lower plane with his legs hanging over.
It has been found that auxiliary planes must not be too close to the main wings: a gap of a distance about 50% greater than the width of the widest adjacent plane must be maintained if interference with the supporting air currents is to be avoided. Main planes are now always arched; auxiliary planes, not as universally. The concave under surface of supporting wings has its analogy in the wing of the bird and had long years since been applied in the parachute.
The car (if used) and all parts of the framework should be of “wind splitter” construction, if useless resistance is to be avoided. The ribs and braces of the frame are of course stronger, weight for weight, in this shape, since a narrow deep beam is always relatively stronger than one of square or round section. Excessive frictional resistance is to be avoided by using a smoothly finished fabric for the wings, and the method of attaching this fabric to the frame should be one that keeps it as flat as possible at all joints.
The sketches give the novel details of some machines recently exhibited at the Grand Central Palace in New York. The stabilizing planes were invariably found in the rear, in all machines exhibited.
The Things to Look After
The operator of an aeroplane has to do the work of at least two men. No vessel in water would be allowed to attain such speeds as are common with air craft, unless provided with both pilot and engineer. The aviator is his own pilot and his own engineer. He must both manage his propelling machinery and steer. Separate control for vertical rudders, elevating rudders and ailerons, for starting the engine; the adjustment of the carbureter, the spark, and the throttle to get the best results from the motor; attention to lubrication and constant watchfulness of the water-circulating system: these are a few of the things for him to consider; to say nothing of the laying of his course and the necessary anticipation of wind and altitude conditions.