Los Angeles herald., 1910-02-27
PLAN TESTS OF
AIRSHIP MOTORS
AERO CLUB MEMBERS WORK
AT MOTORDROME
Invention by Frank A. Garbutt VIII Be
Given to Public If Success
ful-Automatic Stabil-
ity Sought

Experiments with engines probably
will be the first thing tried out by the
Aero club Of California in it's new eX-
pertinent field at the Los Angeles mo-
tordrome at Playa del Rey. Engines
are the things needed, and so far there
have been few successful machines
built.
Frank A. Garbutt has designed ro-
tating engine with nine cylinders which
he believes will be successful, and he
| is now constructing parts and hopes to
have an engine built in three weeks
and then give it thorough test.
Garbutt has his own opinions about
engines, and is planning series of ex-
| perimentS so that he can test his new
invention thoroughly berore it is used
on an aeroplane. He proposes to find
out by electric dynamo measurements
how much horsepower it will require to
run the engine itself, how much Is used
up in its rotations in the air, and how
much it is able to produce when ope-
rated to its full capacity. Then he will
apply it's own power and measure its
development
These experiments will be conducted
| by Mr.. Garbutt and the club as soon as
| the engine can be put together. Sim
| liar tests will be made with other en-
gines. There are three new types for
airships being built here and in Pasa-
dena, and they should be ready for Off
| cial tests within two or three weeks.
| AS far as Garbutt is concerned, all his
experiments will be published for the
| good of the science of aeronautics, 1T
| being his plan to develop all knowledge
possible instead of making a mystery
out of it for commercial purposes. He
is actuated by the belief that whatever
| is invented should be put to use as
| quickly as opssible.
| A rI,ano xKyil1 X
| led An engine may have all kinds OF
power but if the propellers are not
pitched properly or fail to develop
thrust" the work of the engine goes
for naught. Very few propellers to
date are successful, and even if the
maker happens to hit upon the proper
| shape the construction often IS faulty
with the result that the propeller de-
velops serious defects or falls to stand
the strain required
| Automatic Stability Sought
The great feature to be studied and
which opens a wide field for research
is stability, or the maintaining OF equi-
librium Automatic stability is the
much desired end of all experiments,
and when once discovered or invented
| will mark an epoch in the construction
| and use of aeroplanes.
The suit of the Wright brothers for
an Injunction against Paulhan and Cur
tiss, to prohibit the use of allerons,
which have the same effect in balancing
| an aeroplane as the Warping system
invented and patented by the Wrights,
has made it necessary for the inven-
| ton of a new method of maintaining
stability, If others besides the Wrights
expect to be able to continue flights.
To this end the club members Will
lend their efforts, and it is believed
that some way can be devised to ac-
| complish equilibrium other than the
methods already in use and covered
| by the patent of the Wrights.
| One of the principal features OF aero
| plane construction is locating the CEN
| ter of gravity so that the machine is
| balanced when aviator and supplies
are loaded. If this is obtained 1t IS
up to the aviator to maintain his pal-
| ance by his fore and aft stabillty-that
| is the elevator in front and the tall
and his lateral stability with the aile-
rons.
Proper construction is absolutely nee
essary, and all proportions must be well
worked out beforehand or the machine
| will tip one way or the other and likely
| smash The several accidents to the
| Cill-Dosh machine at the aviation meet
were due largely to defects in balance,
as it was hard to control the aeroplane
| in alighting.
H. Law. Twining. president OF the
| Aero club of California will confer
with Mr.. Garbutt this week and work
out the formers suggestions into defi-
mite plan for action. Jack Prince, who
| is constructing the motordrome, is to
put up the aeroplane building as soon
| as progress on the motordrome itself
will permit.
The structure Is to be 600 feet long
and forty feet wide, and will have par
titions SO that those having machines