University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
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

collapse section1. 
EVOLUTION OF TWO-SURFACE FLYING MACHINE. By Octave Chanute.
  
[section]
  
Second Wenham Aeroplane.
  
Experiments by Stringfellow.
  
Linfield's Unsuccessful Efforts.
  
Renard's "Dirigible Parachute."
  
Phillips Fails on Stability Problem.
  
Hargrave's Kite Experiments.
  
Experiments With Glider Model.
  
How Lilienthal Was Killed.
  
Experiments by the Writer.
  
First Proposed by Wenham.
  
Monoplane Idea Wrong.
collapse section2. 
CHAPTER II. THEORY, DEVELOPMENT, AND USE.
  
[section]
  
Are Mechanical Birds.
  
Origin of the Aeroplane.
  
Character of Chanute's Experiments.
  
Developments by the Wrights.
  
Limits of the Flying Machine.
  
Some Practical Uses.
collapse section3. 
CHAPTER III. MECHANICAL BIRD ACTION.
  
[section]
  
Another Simple Illustration.
  
Principle In General Use.
  
Getting Under Headway.
  
Puzzle in Bird Soaring.
  
Modeled Closely After Birds.
collapse section4. 
CHAPTER IV. VARIOUS FORMS OF FLYING MACHINES.
  
[section]
  
What the Helicopter Is.
  
Form of the Ornithopter.
  
Three Kinds of Aeroplanes.
  
Differences in Biplanes.
collapse section5. 
CHAPTER V. CONSTRUCTING A GLIDING MACHINE.
  
[section]
  
Glider the Basis of Success.
  
Plans for Handy Glider.
  
Kind of Material Required.
  
Names of the Various Parts.
  
Quantity and Cost of Material.
  
Application of the Rudders.
  
Putting the Machine Together.
  
Another Way of Placing Struts.
  
Placing the Rib Pieces.
  
Joining the Two Frames.
  
Trussing with Guy Wires.
  
Putting on the Cloth.
  
Reinforcing the Cloth.
  
Use of Armpieces.
collapse section6. 
CHAPTER VI. LEARNING TO FLY.
  
[section]
  
Begin on Level Ground.
  
Effect of Body Movements.
  
Ascends at an Angle.
  
Maintaining an Equilibrium.
  
Effects of Wind Currents.
  
Launching Device for Gliders.
  
How Glider Is Started.
  
What the Operator Does.
  
Motor For the Launcher.
collapse section7. 
CHAPTER VII. PUTTING ON THE RUDDER.
  
[section]
  
Cross Pieces for Rudder Beam.
  
The Rudder Itself.
  
Strengthening the Rudder.
collapse section8. 
CHAPTER VIII. THE REAL FLYING MACHINE.
  
[section]
  
Larger Surface Area Required.
  
Some Practical Examples.
  
Which is the Best?
  
Proper Sizes For Frame.
  
How to Splice Timbers.
  
Splicing with Metal Sleeves.
  
Joining the Two Pieces.
  
Installation of Motor.
  
The One Chief Object.
  
Shape of Machine a Factor.
  
Rudders and Auxiliary Planes.
  
Rudder and Auxiliary Construction.
  
Arrangement of Alighting Gear.
  
Why Wood Is Favored.
  
Things to Be Considered.
  
Estimating the Weights Involved.
  
What the Novice Must Avoid.
  
How to Distribute the Weight.
  
Figuring on Surface Area.
  
Distributing the Surface Area.
  
The Cost of Production.
  
Services of Expert Necessary.
  
Speed Affects Weight Capacity.
collapse section9. 
CHAPTER IX. SELECTION OF THE MOTOR.
  
[section]
  
Average Weight Per Horse Power.
  
How Lightness Is Secured.
  
Multiplicity of Cylinders.
  
Horse Power and Speed.
  
Great Waste of Power.
  
What the Propeller Does.
  
Kinds of Propellers Used.
  
Placing of the Motor.
  
No Perfect Motor as Yet.
  
Features of Darracq Motor.
  
Propeller Thrust Important.
  
Designs for Propeller Blades.
  
Difference in Propeller Efficiency.
  
Comparison of Two Designs.
  
Experts Fail to Agree.
collapse section10. 
CHAPTER X. PROPER DIMENSIONS OF MACHINES.
  
[section]
  
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.
collapse section11. 
CHAPTER XI. PLANE AND RUDDER CONTROL.
  
[section]
  
Several Methods of Control.
  
Connection With the Levers.
  
Which Method is Best?
  
Some Things to Be Learned.
collapse section12. 
CHAPTER XII. HOW TO USE THE MACHINE.
  
[section]
  
Why This Rule Prevails.
  
How to Make a Start.
  
When the Machine Rises.
  
Make Your Flights Short.
  
Preserving the Equilibrium.
  
How It Works In the Air.
  
When Planes Must Be Used.
  
When to Make a Flight.
collapse section13. 
CHAPTER XIII. PECULIARITIES OF AIRSHIP POWER.
  
[section]
  
Pressure of the Wind.
  
How to Determine Upon Power.
  
Wind Pressure a Necessity.
  
Supporting Area of Birds.
  
Comparison With Aeroplanes.
  
More Surface, Less Power.
  
The Fuel Consumption Problem.
  
Increase of Thirty Per Cent.
collapse section14. 
CHAPTER XIV. ABOUT WIND CURRENTS, ETC.
  
[section]
  
Changes In Wind Currents.
  
How a Bird Meets Currents.
  
Trying to Imitate the Bird.
  
Preserving Longitudinal Balance.
  
The Matter of Lateral Balance.
  
High Winds Threaten Stability.
  
Trouble With Vertical Columns.
collapse section15. 
CHAPTER XV. THE ELEMENT OF DANGER.
  
[section]
  
Two Fields of Safety.
  
Lesson in Recent Accidents.
  
Aviation Not Extra Hazardous.
  
Safer Than Railroading.
  
Two Main Causes of Trouble.
collapse section16. 
CHAPTER XVI. RADICAL CHANGES BEING MADE.
  
[section]
  
Dimensions of 1908 Machine.
  
Dimensions of 1909 Machine.
  
Some of the Results Obtained.
  
Changes in Engine Action.
  
More Speed and Same Capacity.
  
Wrights Adopt Wheeled Gears.
  
Only Three Dangerous Rivals.
  
Other Aviators at Work.
  
Smallest of Flying Machines.
  
Have One Rule in Mind.
collapse section17. 
CHAPTER XVII. SOME OF THE NEW DESIGNS.
  
[section]
  
Features of Van Anden Model.
  
The Method of Control.
  
Automatic Control of Wings.
  
Motive Power of Van Anden.
  
Still Another New Aeroplane.
  
Motor Is Extremely Light.
  
Machine Built by Students.
  
Frame Size and Engine Power.
collapse section18. 
CHAPTER XVIII. DEMAND FOR FLYING MACHINES.
  
[section]
  
Results of Bleriot's Daring.
  
Wonderful Results in a Year.
  
Some of the Actual Results.
  
Larger Plants Are Necessary.
  
Prices at Which Machines Sell.
  
Systematic Instruction of Amateurs.
  
Yes, the Airship Is Here.
collapse section19. 
CHAPTER XIX. LAW OF THE AIRSHIP.
  
[section]
  
Rights of Property Owners.
  
Privilege Sharply Confined.
  
How It Affects Aviation.
  
Hard to Catch Offenders.
  
Points to Be Proven.
  
Difficult to Fix Damages.
  
Right of Way for Airships.
  
Possible Solution Offered.
  
Responsibility of Aviators.
  
Fine for an Aeronaut.
  
Air Not Really Free.
  
Relations of Owner and Employee.
  
As to Aeroplane Contracts.
  
No Redress for Purchasers.
collapse section20. 
CHAPTER XX. SOARING FLIGHT. By Octave Chanute.
  
[section]
  
Soaring Power of Birds.
  
Great Power of Gulls.
  
Mystery to be Explained.
  
Buzzards Soar in Dead Calm.
  
Results of Close Observations.
  
An Interesting Experiment.
  
Some Data on Bird Power.
  
Results Astonish Scientists.
  
Endorsed by Prof. Marvin.
  
Conditions Unfavorable for Wrights.
  
Langley's Idea of Aviation.
  
Requisites for Soaring Flights.
collapse section21. 
CHAPTER XXI. FLYING MACHINES VS. BALLOONS.
  
[section]
  
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.
collapse section22. 
CHAPTER XXII. PROBLEMS OF AERIAL FLIGHT.
  
[section]
  
Helicopter Type Useless.
  
Must Compete With Locomotive.
  
Matter of Fuel Consumption.
  
Eccentricities of the Wind.
  
Thinks Use Is Limited.
  
Weight of Lightest Motors.
  
Best Means of Propulsion.
  
Advocates Propellers in Rear.
  
Benefits of Soaring Flight.
  
Main Difficulties in Aviation.
  
Requisites of Flying Machine.
collapse section23. 
CHAPTER XXIII. AMATEURS MAY USE WRIGHT PATENTS.
  
[section]
  
What Wright Brothers Say.
  
Basis of the Wright Patents.
  
Wrights Obtain an Injunction.
  
What the Judge Said.
  
Similar to Plan of Wrights.
  
Variance From Patent Immaterial.
  
"June Bug" First Infringement.
  
Points Claimed By Curtiss.
  
Does Not Warp Main Surface.
  
Rudder Used Only For Steering.
  
Aero Club Recognizes Wrights.
collapse section24. 
CHAPTER XXIV. HINTS ON PROPELLER CONSTRUCTION.
  
[section]
  
What the Designers Seek.
  
Terms in General Use.
  
When Pitch Is Not Uniform.
  
Effect of Non-Uniformity.
  
Why Blades Are Curved.
  
How to Determine Angle.
  
Relation of Diameter to Circumference.
collapse section25. 
CHAPTER XXV. NEW MOTORS AND DEVICES.
  
[section]
  
A Powerful Light Motor.
  
Roberts Aviation Motor.
  
The Rinek Motor.
  
The Overhead Camshaft Boulevard.
collapse section26. 
CHAPTER XXVI. MONOPLANES, TRIPLANES, MULTIPLANES.
  
[section]
  
Dimensions of Monoplanes.
  
Winnings Made with Monoplanes.
  
The Most Popular Monoplanes.
  
Combined Triplane and Biplane.
  
New Cody Biplane.
  
Pressey Automatic Control.
  
The Sellers' Multiplane.
collapse section27. 
CHAPTER XXVII. 1911 AEROPLANE RECORDS.
  
THE WORLD AT LARGE.
  
AMERICAN RECORDS.
  
AVIATION DEVELOPMENT.
  
NOTABLE CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHTS OF 1911.
  
AEROPLANES AND DIRIGIBLE BALLOONS IN WARFARE.
 28. 
CHAPTER XXVIII. GLOSSARY OF AERONAUTICAL TERMS.

collapse section Collapse All | Expand All expand section
previous sectionCHAPTER VIII. THE REAL FLYING MACHINE. 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

We will now assume that you have become proficient enough to warrant an attempt at the construction of a real flying machine—one that will not only remain suspended in the air at the will of the operator, but make respectable progress in whatever direction he may desire

illustration

General Outline of Curtiss' Main Framework.

[Description: Black and white illustration: Diagram of aeroplane.]
to go. The glider, it must be remembered, is not steerable, except to a limited extent, and moves only in one direction—against the wind. Besides this its power of flotation—suspension in the air—is circumscribed.

previous sectionCHAPTER VIII. THE REAL FLYING MACHINE. 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