New-York tribune., 1911-01-08
A GENEROUS SUGGESTION
Capsised Hayload Prompts Idea 1o'
Making Aeroplanes More Stable.

n the EDITOR OF ne
Sir: Through you I would like ieN
words with the human race about III
navigation. We are all interested III tno
subject. particularly so since the uas'O
close of the first decade Of the tWentle'"
century at New Orleans and Los Angeles
There is no doubt that the accidents "h'cn
befe those intrepid pioneers were prevent
able. | propose to point out how tner lc
currence may, 7 think, be guarded against
We farmers who have attempted 10 rlue
to market upon high load OF hay over
an uneven road upon a narrow sleiSh can
sympathize with the aviator who rides the
clouds on the seat Of the present type OF
aeroplane A slight unevenness In the roao-
bed or a sudden gust of wind Is laoIe ~
bring lis to grief. We solve our problem
by better support of the centre OF gravity
either by building our load upon wideI
base as a wider sleigh or wagon, or else
building a lower load upon wide and nat
rack or hay rigging.
The same result will be obtained by bet
ter supporting the centre of gravity IN the
aeroplane The aeroplane In motion ls sup
ported by the pressure OF air against the
under surface Of the planes.
When the propeller Is running properly
the forward motion gives sufficient pressure
against the under surface of the planes
when properly tilted TO maintain a given
altitude or rise TO a greater one. When
the propeller Is not in action the downward
motion. caused by the force Of gravity
gives sufficient pressure against the under
surface OF the planes to enable the aviator
10 glide in safety to the earth, parachute
fashion.
The major weight of the outfit consists
OF the motor and passenger or passengers
Shift this weight TO q lower position WIN
reference to the supporting planes ana We
will get the same result We get WIN 'he
wider base supporting our centre OF sra'-
ity in our load Of hay.
Take two blocks Of wood each inch thick'
inches long and Il: inches vide. Lay an
oightpenny nail along the middle of one OF
the blocks longitudinally and fasten it 10
the block with small staple. which can De
made from a bent pin. This represents the
present type OF aeroplane. Now fasten the
other nail TO the other block Of wood by
driving the point OF the nail into the pioch
enough to hold 1t in place precautionary
at the centre Of the block
Throw both blocks into pan or water
and they will be supported in and upon
the water by reason Of the buoyancy OF tne
wood Churn the water violently, as the
wind sometimes churns the air through
which We must ride in aviation and see
what will happen. The block which rep
resents the present type of machine can
readily he capsized and caused TO turn
turtle. The other block and nail, where we
have shifted the centre OF gravity TO a
lower position, cannot be made 10 turn
turtle. We all prefer that type Of vehicle
when we get ready TO trust ourselves
among the clouds.
II there is any patentable feature 10 this
idea the publication of this letter should
not injure my rights in the matter, as the
! date which the types place at the top OF
the page will serve to establish priority OF
| invention.
| 7 am something OF an inventor, but both
my age and the extent Of my financial re-
! sources debar me from entering the list or
| aviators or manufacturers of aeroplanes
| II manufacturers of such vehicles will con-
| suit with me we will decide whether 1t Is
best to take out patent or give the public
the free use of the idea at once provided
| of course that II is new. o. w. MAPES.
| Niddletown n Y, Jan. .. 1911.