The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-01-23
DANGERS OF AVIATION
A Man of Experience Points
Out Some of the Dangers
to Be Met
New York. Ian. %.

New York, Jan. %.
Aeronautic Editor-Dear Sir:
The recent sad fatalities to my
friends, Mr.. Arch Hoxsey and Mr..
Ralph tombstone, prompt me to adj
dress You in view Of giving my opin-
ION as to the cause. especially in view
OF the fact no theory has been ad
Vanced upon which deductions could
De made or propounded among those
skilled in the science of aerodynmics
that could be attributed as the direct
cause of the recent disasters referred
TO, including that which befelI Mr..
Moisant and some others before him.
An areoplane in flight with its nos~
dipped towards the earth at degree
wherewith it no longer retains an an
gle of incidence towards the line Of
descent and wherein. the center of
pressure is entirely gone from under
the main plane eventually-by grav-
1ty-deyelopes such terrific speed that
it becomes impossible to again right
the machine; the small AGRA of sur
face on the horizontal control becomes
inadequate to counterfeit the tremen-
dous pressure now cxerting its full
force upon greater area of exposed
surface namely.that running along the
main plane on top, near its leading
edge.
I am Of the opinion the extremely
daring aviator desiring to cxecute
sensational rapid glide towards the
earth while in fight. or while per-
forming a spiral dip. likewise the avi-
ator who makes too quick landing,
unconsciously allows the center Of
pressure under the plane to remain
ait zero for far too long period, for
after executing either of the above
mentioned performances gravity has
already begun to play an all import
ant part, causing him to travel to-
wards the earth with an over increas-
ing speed of lightning like rapidity,
he has already dipped the nose of his
machines towards the earth, the aero
plane no longer retaining an angle of
incidence towards the line Of de-
scent, the tremendous power of head
ON pressure caused from the terrific
speed the forces of gravity have
brought about,is now directed against,
main plane, this volume of air pres
sure becomes almost as solid offer
ing resistance like to stone wall ex-
ert.ng its tremendous force against, ana
on top of the parabola of the curved
surfaces of the plane situated immed-
lately back of the leading edge; the
eilot eventually pulls at his levers
in an endeavor to bring the machine
to an even keel towards horizontal
line of flight only to find the area OF
surface on the horizontal control is
now insufficient to counterfeit the
head on pressure directed against the
top from edge of the main plane, the
latter offers an area of surface to this
head on pressure many times in ex-
cess of that possessed by the horizon
tai control, and so the aviator is en-
trapped to his doom.
AS 1t is not considered practical, by
many, to increase the surface. OF the
horizontal control then may suggest
the adyisability of encouraging in
ventors to produce a safety stop, to
be put in use on the control levers or
aeroplanes that will prevent flying up
or down beyond a certain safe angle:
Hoping my conclusions VIII De OF
some benefit to aviation,
Sincerely yours,
JOSEPH w. CURZON,
A flyer with experience gained with a
standard made aeroplane.