NEW KIND OF PLANE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 219, 10 June 1919, Page 5

NEW KIND OF PLANE

PERPENDICULAR CLIMBER WHICH CAN HOVER, It is understood (says tho "Daily Mail") that experiments with an apparatus destined to be embodied in a "helicopter" aeroplane are being socrotly carried out by the authorities near London. A helicopter is a type of aeroplane capablo of vising and descending vertically without "putting its nose up," and able to hover in the air. Experts who have witnessed testa say- there is good reason to hopo that an aeroplane completed on the lines of tho experiments would not only riso straight up but woald be ablo also to alight on housetops or even on barges; thus dangers of landing at night or in fog would he minimised. An aeronautical authority slated that, it' perfected, tho helicopter will be the greatest step 'yet made towards complete mastery of the air with a heiwior-ihaii-air machine, "Extensive experiments with helicopters," he said, "have been made' from time to time in the United Slates, but with little success. Since tho war muny notable British aeronautical engineers, at first sceptical, have turned their attention to the problem, which is now well on the way to Tieing solved. Direct lifting can be attained only by a considerable reduction in straight-ahead speed, and this will always be a factor ngainut direct-lift machines."

Another remarkable invention is a new system of aeroplane control in which power will be used to relieve tho pilot of tho physical strain of workimr the ailorons, elevators, and rudder. The heaviest flying boats and 1-enginod neroplanes will bo managed by a single pilot with the ease of driving an up-to-date motor-car.