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Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1923, Page 3

DIESEL ENGINE AND AIR TRANSPORT. An interesting account of new developments in aeroplane work was gi'on at the afternoon session of the Air Conference by Air \ ice-Marsiiiil Si j \V. G. 11. Salmoml. One of ihe most promising events of tlio past vein, lie said, lias been the production of an aero-engine of one cylinder to run on a Diesel cycle, consuming shale ml. The cost of fliis fuel is one-ninth that j of petrol, and the quantity consumed only .1151!) fur each horse-power per hour. If this engine proves a practical success it will have an •‘enormously important effect on the future of c-ivii aviation.” An important passage in Sir W. G H. Salmoiul’s paper dealt with metal aeroplanes. “There is no doubt," lv said, “that the metal machine is now quite practical.” In the present yeadesign is to lie simplified in order to give a -metal aeroplane which can be made at a commercial price and in reasonable quantities. Kor progress in directional wireless the plains of Syria and Mesopotamia are proving ideal, as there are practiejillv no errors in hearings troni nntuifi* causes, and stranded aircraft can be located with confidence. In fogs aircraft can lie directed \v direetional wireless to within two miles of an aerodrome, but the problem of lauding through a fog remains. A device for assisting in this js now bc,nii investigated—a cable laid round tile aerodrome charged with elect tic ity. The aeroplane will carry apparatus capable of detecting the current and measuring its strength ; as the machine nears the ground the strengtn mil rise and the airman will 1 now bis exact position and height.