Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-29
Antomatic Pilots With Gwoscopic Brains,
BiggerSeaplanes to CarryDlore Passengers
Than AirshiPs, Mid-O Ocean Landing
Fields and Paruchutes That NH Float
an Entire Plane to Safety Are Certain
Developments.

transporting from 80 to IS passengers will be-
come somewhat more numerous in Americas
skies during 1880.
Such expansion of aerial transport facilities
viii be aided by the perfection of the automatic
pilot which saw successful trials during the past
year. As the aerial counterpart of the Metal
Mike" which keeps ocean steamships travelling
in straight line without the aid of human
helmSman, the untiring arms of the ingenious
mechanism will prove useful adjunct to the
human pilot. In handling large airplanes, the
gyroScopically activated "mecaviator" as IL has
been christened, will relieve the pilot of physical
strain and allow him to give more attention to
navigation and other problems.
The mecaviator is just one of the mechanical
aids to airplane plotting that are being made
available. On some Of the airways of America
pilot II his plane Is properly equipped, can
watch o little instrument and tell instantly
when his plane deviates from the invisible
course marked by the radio beacon.
AlttmeterS, so sensitive that they record q
height above ground within dozen feet, have
been perfected. Such devices, added to the al-
ready crowded instrument board Of the average
airpane. have made it possible for skilled pilot
10 ny "blind"
A demonstration Of blind flying, flying with
instruments alone without sight of the ground
from time of takeoh until the time of landing
is an indication that eventually it may be pos
sible for airplanes to operate when a blanket Of
thick fog covers the earth, q condition which
now effectively prevents air travel.
THE parachute, the life belt of the air may
graduate during 1880 into safety device
Tor airplaneS as well as passenger and pilot
Serious experimental work is now In progress
attempting to adapt, for commercial use. q
giant modification Of the parachute, so that In
case Of trouble the whole airplane can he
hoated to earth without danger to passengers
or machine.
The expansion Of the aeronautic industry has
resulted In the production of many new types Of
a1rplane engines just as it has stimulated the
production Of various kinds Of airplanes by
many manufacturers. Both airplanes and en-.
gineS must now prove their worth in the Fed
erai governmental tests before they are licensed
ana this activity Of the aeronautic branch of
the United States Department of Commerce to-
gether with the licensing of pilots, will during
1880 prove more important as the use of air.
planes expands.
Gasolines infiammablty has made airplane
designers desire to eliminate 1t, and they are,
therefore. watching with interest the develop
ment OF the Packard Diesel engine for airplanes
whlcn during the past year has demonstrated
its ability to power long cross country flights.
1t Is possible that during the coming year
this motor will be put into limited commercial
use It will be quite logical for airplanes in the
future to be propelled by heavy oil lust az
steamships and stationary power plants of to-
day are, by means Of the Diesel principle.