Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-27
NEWEST TOP-SPEED
PLANE FLOWN HERE
Machine Is First of Fleet
Contemplated by
SkyIines, Inc.

The new 20-passenger, high speed
Burnelli transport plane, which is said
to be the fastest and most luxurious, as
well as one of the largest commercial
planes in the United States, was flown
here for demonstrations this week by
Lieut.. Leigh Wade, one Of the Army
round-the-world flyers. The plane is
the first of fleet which will be put into
operation between New York and Chi
cago by Skylines, Inc.
Unique in several respects, the big
plane has attracted more attention from
aeronautical people than any new type
produced for several years. Some of the
features which distinguish it from the
conventional commercial types are the
wide fuselage. constructed in the form
OF huge wing section to give a positive
lift; the location of its two 625-horse-
power Curtiss Conqueror motors inside
the fuSelage side by side at the nose
so they are accessible from inside in
night, and the retractable landing gear.
145-Mile Top Speed.
The plane has a top speed of las
miles per hour and a cruising speed of
about lis miles per hour. Experience
obtained in the operation of the first
model is expected to result in refine
mentS which will increase the speed of
subsequent planes considerably. The
folding of the landing gear into the
body increases the speed of the ship
from II to Is miles per hour, in the
opinion of Lieut. Wade.
The wide fuSelage, about IL feet.
makes possible the most luxurious ar
rangement Of the passenger compart-
ment. A yacht-like salon is provided
for the passengers, with a short COM
panionway leading aft to a kitchen.
radio room and rest room. A fireless
cooker and refrigerator are included in
the kitchen equipment. At the forward
end of the passenger cabin doors lead
to the pilots compartment and engine
room. Curtained ports open into the
control cabin. which Is open above to
give the pilots full vision above the mo-
tors. A luxurious double sofa is placed
in the center Of the cabin and deeply
upholstered swivel chairs are provided.
The cabin Is equipped with an air
speed indicator and altimeter so that
passengers may know the height and
speed at all times. Silken loops hang
from the cabin top for the convenience
of aerial straphangers" and to steady
the passengers if they choose to walk
entire cabin is soundproofed to deaden
the roar of the motors and propellors.
Personnel Of Crew.
The crew includes two pilots. a me-
chanic and steward, who acts as
radio operator. On the flight here
Lieut.. Wade brought Capt. Earl F.
Stewart, co-pilot: Kenneth Stone, me-
chanic: H. v. Burnell. designer, and
Howard Peterson. representative Of p.
w. Chapman. builder and owner.
Lieut.. Wade, who has been chief test
pilot during all the flights Of the new
plane, says that it handles unusually
we'll On the flight down here from
Newark, N. j., on Thursday, he said an
altitude of between 1000 and 5000 feet
was maintained because of high winds
and "bumpy" atmosphere.
"At times we had a 78-mile wind
abeam and at other times encountered
head winds Of from 38 to so miles an
hour" Lieut.. Wade said I'm spite of
the adverse winds we made the trip
from New York to Washington in 8
hours. and SO minutes. The retractable
landing gear results In very notice.
able increase in speed. The wheels are
drawn into wells under the fuselage by
a positive action hand gear"
The plane is of all metal construction.
the metal covered wings having a span
of 80 feet. Three fuel tanks give a
1.000-gallon total fuel capacity, sum
Gent for 20 hours sustained flight. All
gas. oil and water lines are contained
within the fuselage and are accessible
during flight. The plane. with full pas
senger, baggage and fuel load for Z |
hours flight. weighs about $4,000
pounds.