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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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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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Expense and Other Items.
  
Lack of Speed and Control.
  
Some Balloon Performances.
  
Speed of Flying Machines.
  
Expense of Producing Gas.
  
Proportions of Materials Required.
  
In Time of Emergency.
  
Balloons for Commercial Use.
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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 XXI. FLYING MACHINES VS. BALLOONS. 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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Expense of Producing Gas.

Gas is indispensable in the operation of dirigible balloons, and gas is expensive. Besides this it is not always possible to obtain it in sufficient quantities even in large cities, as the supply on hand is generally needed for regular customers. Such as can be had is either water or coal gas, neither of which is as efficient in lifting power as hydrogen.

Hydrogen is the lightest and consequently the most buoyant of all known gases. It is secured commercially by treating zinc or iron with dilute sulphuric or hydrochloric acid. The average cost may be safely placed at $10 per 1,000 feet so that, to inflate a balloon of the size of the Zeppelin, holding 460,000 cubic feet, would cost $4,600.

previous sectionCHAPTER XXI. FLYING MACHINES VS. BALLOONS. 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