THE AUTOGYRO.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1925, Page 1

THE AUTOGYRO.

A SPANISH. ACHIEVEMENT

[Australia & N'-Z. Cable Association.,

LONDON. Oct. 19'The “.Morning Rost's ' aeronautical correspondent says: Ihe Spanish autogyro (cabled on Oct. 13th), which reproduces bird-flight mechanically, will be demonstrated at Tarnborough on .Monday afternoon. It resembles tin ordinary aeroplane, hut blades which imitate the heating of a bird's wings, as closelv as mechanical limitations will permit, it can ascend or descend almost, vertically. It can hover, anti can Hy as fast as an aeroplane. It has the power to loop the loop, ami do other acrobatic.', besides special acrobatics of its ti»N. and it can land in a field fifteen yards square. The technical experts who have seen the machine in flighi are astonished at its performances. I hey admit that the invention eon.siitales an entirely now and unforseon application of aerodynamical principles. The ordinary aeroplane lusilngc, with a rotary engine and airship, form the basis ol tlie construction of the autogyro. Above the fufiilago there is a windmill of four articulated blades, which rise and fall as thev turn. Their rotation is caused by air pressure, and not by engine power, the engine being entirely unconnected with the windmill. Since the autogyro is stable, its control is simpler than that of an ordinary aeroplane. It can be Down with rudders and elevator- alone, though the experimental machine iprovided with a lower spar as a precaution if the engine stops when the machine is at a great height. Its weight is supported liv the revolving windmill, and it is lowered gently to the ground. ■ Don Juan Dolaeierva. the inventor, in an interview, said: “I have been engaged in aeronautical research for LA years, f first conceived the autogyro in 1920, when T came to the eonelusion that it was essential to build a machine which could descend safely after engine trouble, and could land even on a housetop. I have built six machines, but only in the fourth on, did 1 hit the idea of adding the arti ciliated blades to the lifting windmill which gave automatic stability. T believe that my method will eventually replace all tho others, because it- allows of a higher speed and of higher elilulling with safety, and it makes Hying much easier. T calculate that tin autogyro witli the power resistance of a Bernard .Monoplane, will do 81.0 miles an hour at full .-peed and will have a landing speed of 97 miles per hour. 'The autogyro will be .scarcely affected hy air disturbances due to gusty wind.''