University of Virginia Library

Increase of Thirty Per Cent.

On the face of it there would seem to be no call for an increase as the resistance met when going against the

From Fly.
Diagram of An Entirely New Aerodrome.
51—single surface; 52—framework; 53-54—wheels and spring runners; 55—operator's seat; 56—motor; 57—crankshaft to propeller; 60—helm, operated by handle 71, which is within of aviator; 72—movable soaring blade; 75-76—balancing planes. The other figures are self-explanatory.

[Description: Black and white illustration: Diagram of aerodrome.]

wind is apparently offset by the propulsive force of the wind when the machine is travelling with it. This, however, is called faulty reasoning. The increase in fuel consumption, as figured by Mr. F. W. Lanchester, of the Royal Society of Arts, will be fully 30 per cent over the amount required for a similar operation of the machine in still air. If the journey should be made at right angles to the wind under the same conditions the increase would be 15 per cent.

In other words Mr. Lanchester maintains that the work done by the motor in making headway against the wind for a certain distance calls for more engine energy, and consequently more fuel by 30 per cent, than is saved by the helping force of the wind on the return journey.