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Flying Machines: Construction and Operation: A Practical Book Which Shows, in Illustrations, Working Plans and Text, How to Build and Navigate the Modern Airship.

  
[title page]
  
PREFACE.
  
IN MEMORIAM.
  
CONTENTS

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EVOLUTION OF TWO-SURFACE FLYING MACHINE. By Octave Chanute.
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CHAPTER II. THEORY, DEVELOPMENT, AND USE.
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CHAPTER III. MECHANICAL BIRD ACTION.
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CHAPTER IV. VARIOUS FORMS OF FLYING MACHINES.
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CHAPTER V. CONSTRUCTING A GLIDING MACHINE.
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CHAPTER VI. LEARNING TO FLY.
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CHAPTER VII. PUTTING ON THE RUDDER.
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CHAPTER VIII. THE REAL FLYING MACHINE.
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CHAPTER IX. SELECTION OF THE MOTOR.
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CHAPTER X. PROPER DIMENSIONS OF MACHINES.
  
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Dimensions of Leading Machines.
  
Figuring Out the Details.
  
The Matter of Passengers.
  
Average Proportions of Load.
  
Importance of Engine Power.
  
Proper Weight of Machine.
  
Comparison of Bird Power.
  
Measurements of Curtiss Machine.
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CHAPTER XI. PLANE AND RUDDER CONTROL.
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CHAPTER XII. HOW TO USE THE MACHINE.
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CHAPTER XIII. PECULIARITIES OF AIRSHIP POWER.
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CHAPTER XIV. ABOUT WIND CURRENTS, ETC.
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CHAPTER XV. THE ELEMENT OF DANGER.
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CHAPTER XVI. RADICAL CHANGES BEING MADE.
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CHAPTER XVII. SOME OF THE NEW DESIGNS.
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CHAPTER XVIII. DEMAND FOR FLYING MACHINES.
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CHAPTER XIX. LAW OF THE AIRSHIP.
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CHAPTER XX. SOARING FLIGHT. By Octave Chanute.
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CHAPTER XXI. FLYING MACHINES VS. BALLOONS.
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CHAPTER XXII. PROBLEMS OF AERIAL FLIGHT.
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CHAPTER XXIII. AMATEURS MAY USE WRIGHT PATENTS.
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CHAPTER XXIV. HINTS ON PROPELLER CONSTRUCTION.
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CHAPTER XXV. NEW MOTORS AND DEVICES.
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CHAPTER XXVI. MONOPLANES, TRIPLANES, MULTIPLANES.
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CHAPTER XXVII. 1911 AEROPLANE RECORDS.
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CHAPTER XXVIII. GLOSSARY OF AERONAUTICAL TERMS.

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previous sectionCHAPTER X. PROPER DIMENSIONS OF MACHINES. Flying Machines: Construction and Operation: A Practical Book Which Shows, in Illustrations, Working Plans and Text, How to Build and Navigate the Modern Airship.
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Proper Weight of Machine.

As a general proposition the most satisfactory machine for amateur purposes will be found to be one with a total weight-sustaining power of about 1,200 pounds. Deducting 170 pounds as the weight of the operator, this will leave 1,030 pounds for the complete motor-equipped machine, and it should be easy to construct one within this limit. This implies, of course, that due care

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will be taken to eliminate all superfluous weight by using the lightest material compatible with strength and safety.

This plan will admit of 686 pounds weight in the frame work, coverings, etc., and 344 for the motor, propeller, etc., which will be ample. Just how to distribute the weight of the planes is a matter which must be left to the ingenuity of the builder.

illustration

Comparison of Wing Surface of Albatross and Vulture.

[Description: Black and white illustration: Top: Albatross wingspan. Bottom: Vulture wingspan.]

previous sectionCHAPTER X. PROPER DIMENSIONS OF MACHINES. Flying Machines: Construction and Operation: A Practical Book Which Shows, in Illustrations, Working Plans and Text, How to Build and Navigate the Modern Airship.
next section