The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-05-01
BY THOMAS CARROLL

Chief Test Pilot, National Advisory Com
mittee for AerOnautics
Now that the Atlantic has been
epanned by air in both directions it
may appear to those who think
that luck plays any great part in
such undertakings that fortune has
smiled more consistently on she
east-bound.
So it is more remarkable to note
some figures from the United
States Navy photographic charts of
the air conditions over the North
Atlantic ocean.
The adversely of the winds is
common knowledge but is too fire.
quently considered by the lands
man as just little wind more or
less. But see what a difference just
this wind condition can make.
Take a course between point
near New York and one in Ireland
which is just 5000 miles long and
use an airplane that cruises at a
speed of just one hundred miles an.
hour.
Favor Eastbound Filler
If fiat calm maintains and two
pilots start in opposite directions at
the same time and hey are both
equally capable of maintaining their
course and have engines and instru-
ments that never quit, it is easy to
see that they will reach their des-
tinations simultaneously in just
thirty hours.
The eastbound flier's most opti-
fnistic prospect is for an average
following wind of twenty-eight
miles an hour and that it may
maintain for "a per cent Of the
time in any 100 hour period. 1t
therefore is possible to expect that
his average speed will be increased
to 1913 miles an hour and even pos
sible that it may maintain for the
whole trip. That would bring him
to his destination in twenty-three
and half hours.
The worst that the eastbound
flier may expect is an unfavorable
wind averaging eleven miles an
hour. If maintained the whole trip,
this would only decrease his speed
to eighty-nine miles an hour and
he still would arrive in thirty-three
and one-half hours.
But he need only expect that
these adverse conditions will con-
tinue for but five percent Of the
time.
Now regard the poor westbound
pilot.
Fog Peril Is Factor
You find that the best he can ex-
pect is to increase his speed to Ill
miles an hour and reach his des-
tination in tWenty-seven hours. He |
hardly can expect that assistance
for more than 5 per cent Of the
time.
His worst speed may be reduced
to seventy-two miles an hour for at
least one quarter Of the trip. IF I'M
favorable conditions continue for
the whole trip, which is more than
a possibility, he will not arrive at
his destination until forty-one and
two-thirds hours have elapsed.
While his best expectations are
only five hours better than his east
bound competitors worst, his own
worst conditions will require him to
be in the air eighteen hours longer
than the eastbound plane or very
nearly twice as long.
And there is the fog hazard to be
NEGOTIATED. Of course with fog on
the course and it can be expected
from one-third to one-half Of the
time this month, both east and
westbound will encounter it.
But the eastbound plane can
maintain land contact through
most of 1t and expect to be out OF
it in a couple Of hours after leaving
land.
The worst of the fog is near the
coast Of NOVA Scotia and New
foundland.
Come Home ON Boat
They then may expect to ap-
nroach the Irish coast in clear
Weather, for fog is expected only
10 per cent Of the time there.
The unfortunate westbound plane
must approach fog bank 200 or
300 miles off the coast OF America
into which he must fly and grope
for his destination for twelve or
more hours.
Remember that landmarks must
be good to be recognized in fog at
100 miles an hour.
II you ever fly to Ireland it is to
be recommended that you come
home on a boat.
/. u FACULTY MARCH