Aeroplane Experiments

Extract

Since the paper on the possibility of soaring in horizontal wind was read, no efforts have been spared to determine the essential features of curved surfaces that are of any practical utility to aeronautics, and the model shown in Fig. 1 embodies what is known to date. The poles and horizontal cord have been found a most useful method of experimenting ; indeed, it may safely be said that without them the trifling amount of available wind would have been quite inadequate to find out anything new. As suggestions to those who wish to advance this matter rapidly, it may be stated that the wind near the ground is comparable to the surf on the sea shore, which all will admit is not suitable for testing the sailing capacity of yachts or boats. To utilize wind from all directions, a platform of wire netting should be placed in a situation like the top of the shearlegs on Garden Island.