Distributing the Surface Area.
The largest surfaces now in use are those of the Wright, Voisin and Antoinette machines—538 square feet in each. The actual sustaining power of these machines, so far as known, has never been tested to the limit; it is probable that the maximum is considerably in excess of what they have been called upon to show.
Allowing that 600 square feet of surface will be
used,
the next question is how to distribute it to the best
advantage. This is another important matter in which
individual preference must rule. We have seen how
the professionals disagree on this point, some using
auxiliary planes of large size, and others depending upon
Wiring and Beam Section of Van Anden Machine.
[Description: Black and white illustration: Two-part diagram of beam width
and wiring.]
In deciding upon this feature the best thing to do is to follow the plans of some successful aviator, increasing