Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-04
blind" A|RPLANE
! LANDING PLANNED
Practical Demonstration to
Be Given New Radio lnven-
ton, Says Expert.

Practical demonstrations Of the radio
ssblind" landing system developed by the
Bureau of Standards and Department
of Commerce areonautics branch to
guide airplane pilots to safe landings
through fog are planned for the near
future, Harry Diamond, scientist IN the
radio section Of the bureau, told mem
bers of the Standards Flying Club a rev
days ago.
AS a result of the successful appnca-
<ion of the radio range beacon 10 the
rational airways, Mr.. Diamond SAID,
the Bureau of Standards is well along
in its work of conducting experiments,
the purpose of which is to make posi-
BILE normal three-point landings In logs
so thick the pilot cannot see the ground.
The radio fog-landing system employs
several radio beacon beams. In az
dition to the radio range beacon, winch
guides the pilot from distant points 10
the airport, there Is a low-poVer beacon
with a small loop antenna employed 10
mark out the proper runway to be USED
in landing into the wind. The course
laid out by this localizer or runway pea
con is so sharp, Mr.. Diamond said,
that a pilot can locate the axis OF the
runway at the farthest end OF the long
est fields to within 100 feet. AS all run
ways are greater than zoo feet IN WON,
most of them running up to 500 feet or
more, this makes certain landing
within the runway.
Marker Beacons Required.
In addition to the localizer beacon,
suitably placed marker beacons are
required to define the beginning OF the
cleared approach to the field ana the
limits of the field. This arrangement,
combined with suitable absolute alti-
tude indication, Mr.. Diamond said. gives
promise of safe landings during condi-
tons of low visibility.
Another radio beam, inclined at the
normal gliding angle, is used to mark
out the proper gliding angle to be foI-
lowed by the pilot in coming down to a
landing, being so delicate as to marx
out the gradual curve as the ground Is
approached required for proper level
ing OF" to insure a good three-point
The gliding beam" experimental
work has been successful, Mr.. Diamond
said. High frequencies are employed,
making the necessary equipment on the
ground and in the plane very simple,
No adjustment whatever is required by
the pilot
Mr.. Diamond described the general
research work on radio aids for use
on the civil airways of the United
States now carried on by the Bureau OF
Standards, which acts as the research
division of the aeronautics branch OF
the Department of Commerce. The OBJ
5ect Of this research work Is to develop
O system of air navigational aids which
will make it possible for pilot to take
OF from an airport, fly along given
course and land at the desired desti-
nation under any conditions OF fog or
low visibility.
importance of Schedule.
"The success of transportation of mail
or passengers by air depends in large
measure upon the rigorous maintenance
of scheduled flying by day or night"
SIR Diamond said. THE present limi-
tations of this most essential feature OF
air service arises entirely from the haz-
ards of the weather. Unless radio aids
are used. fog always brings the hazard
of getting off the desired course into
unfamiliar or dangerous areas, and
makes the possibility OF a safe landing
email.
1.-The development of the radio range
beacon system has proved major VIC
eory for radio in the battle against fog.
By means of this system the pilot can
keep accurately on his course, know the
points he is passing over and proceed
unerringly to the landing field. Adap-
tations of the radio beacon to the land
ing problem are now in progress which
1t is believed will also make possible
landing even in densest fog. With the
system fully established great obstacle
to safe flight will have been conquered
and needed dependability added to
scheduled flying"