Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-28
Plane-Starting Devices.

Test Of a newly devised catapult
for launching airplanes yesterday re-
calls the method by which heavier
than.air machines were first started
in flight. The Wright machine, nrst
officially tested at Fort Myer ana
later flown at the College PARK ar
drome, was propelled in its initial i'm
pulse by a counterw weight. The plane
was hauled up on a runway, down
which 1t was pulled by self-releas-
ing cable attached to weight. This
initial jerk was accompanied by the
revolution of the propellers, and so
the machine. which travelled on run
ners, after sliding on the ground a
short distance under the first impulse.
gradually rose and scared.
II was at once ogniZed that the
catapult was not a desirable method
of starting the machine, that it was
indeed only an expedient for the pro-
motion Of the experiments. Prof.
Langley had not used this principle
IN MS TfSI IeSlS uoNll TIC otcii'N
but had started the plane from the
roof of a houseboat to which an
elongated platform had been attach
ed. The flight of the Langley plane
was unsuccessful largely, 1t Is bes
ieved. because of the shortness OF
this first supported run. There was
not sufficient space for it to secure Il
Rotation momentum, and 1t fell into
the river. This failure was not re-
ga rded by Prof Langley as vital,
though 1t did check his experiments,
and. of course, caused a great disap-
pointment.
It was not until bicycle wheels were
substituted for the skid runners that
if was possible to start the heavier
than.air machine independently Of
an impulse mocha nism. Santos Du-
mont was one of the first to use the
wheel. applying 1t to an experimental
machine in France. These wheels at
first were much larger than those
that are in present use. In the be-
ginning much trouble was encounter
ed through the breaking OF the
wheels as the machine TAXED, as 1t
was called later, over the ground in
starting. or as 1t came to earth in
landing.
The catapult which has just been
tested is evidently designed to effect
Ia. nj
cruisers and battleships. Starting
devices are already in use In the
NAVY. and this one, it would appear,
is an improvement. giving the plane
an initial velocity of sixty miles an
hour after very short run. The
effect on the operator of starting at
this speed is not described.
II is interesting in this connection
to note that progress Is being mace
abroad in the development of the
helicopter. or Gyrocopter, or the YER
ticalIv rising machine. 1t was re-
Gently stated that at least five of
these devices were undergoing tests In
England and making successful ascents
with a high degree OF control in the
air. but more or less falling Of safe
and effective landing. A helicopter is
even now under development in this
country. in fact in this city, ana
there are hopes that 1t will prove 10
he the solution of the problem of ris-
ing and landing vertically. The hell
confer. It IL recognized. Is the ideal
hea yier.than.air apparatus, as it re-
ouirps relatively small space Tor
storage and for ground operation
Enthusiasts have claimed that Il de-
nendable helicopter will be the UNI
vsrsal mode OF air transport in the
future,