Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1934-10-14


before 1t actually has had time to start
spinning. Just because a stall followed
by an erratic tumble is the way the spin
Is started, there's no good reason for con-
tinually blaming the spin itself for most
of the mishaps.
THE tail spin is an eccentric rotation
ola plane down vertical axis. The
machine revolves as it falls, the nose
describing small circles while the tail
makes big ones. The fulcrum Of eccen-
tricity varies with different types Of
planes, but is always well up toward
the nose. In plain language, the cause
of the spin is due to the plane being
stalled and after stalling, being allowed
to start the consequent drop of the nose
with one wing lower than the other.
This starts the fall and the rotation.
but to keep it up the plane has to remain
stalled and be continually affected by
rotating cause.
No, the tail spin isn't necessarily
death-dealing. A plane with which a
pilot is completely familiar, usually can
be brought out of spin and headed in
any direction desired.
Here's a yarn that believe proves
this, along with several other things.
In the early part of 1913 with all of
so hours solo flying to my credit, was
made acrobatic instructor at the old
Marine Flying Field at Miami, Fla. We
were equipped with those well remem-
bered training planes, the old Jn-4's, or
Jennies. The stunts in the instruction
course consisted of wingovers, half rolls,
loops and spins-not very much, but at
the same time quite bit to get into
the heads Of mere boys with maybe 10
hours solo flight behind them.
Always shall I carry with me the
memory of concluding each lesson by
spinning the plane to landing, always
coming out parallel to the row of canvas
hangers and in front of the last one
In the row. I would explain quite non
chalantly to the student pilot that, when
the threads of the big turnbuckle that
braced the hangar could be seen, then
It was time to start coming out of the
spin. don't understand it to this day,
but not once did any of our lads crack
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Lady Luck.
Now let's consider the loop. For some
unknown reason this, the simplest of all
acrobatic maneuvers, gives tremendous
thrills to beginners and passengers. It
was one of the first of all stunts and
perhaps the initial glamour still hangs
over 1t. How would you like to ride
through a loop and see for yourself what
It's like? First. the pilot takes you to
1000 feet, q good, safe distance. All
right. You're now in level flight with
your throttle open. He pushes the stick
forward and sends the plane on a speed
gathering trip downhill.
As soon as the desired momentum Is
picked up the stick starts coming back
smoothly and slowly. The nose of the
plane returns to the horizon and then
gradually passes 1t. Mother Earth is lost
sight Of and blue sky and fieecy clouds
comprise the entire scenery. The only
physical sensation is one of being cram
med down rather tightly in your seat.
With the stick still coming back slowly,
you reach the top of the loop, hardly
realizing the inverted position; no ten
dency whatever to leave your seat. Look
ing back over your shoulder the sky and
earth seem to have changed places. Just
before reaching the apex,t pilot puts
on little right rudder. This counteracts
the propeller torque (which becomes
rather strong as speed diminishes) and
keeps the plane on a straight course.
Over the top Of the loop and you