Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-11-19

morning IN the aerOnauClcS SnOp. HIS
first project will be the designing and
construction of full airplane scale
wing. He is given set of figures from
which he must develop the wing cur
Natures and construct a three-view
drawing to a given scale. This requires
a practical knowledge of drafting and
layout work.
When the drawings are completed
actual construction begins. The first
step is the assembly of a rib or jig
since all ribs must be Identical. The
spars. leading and trailing edges and
other parts of the wing follow In quick
succession. The wing Is fabricated en-
tirely from wood.
When this is completed, the young
airplane mechanic has acquired q
knowledge of wood joining, glueing and
structure. Particular attention is given
to accuracy and engineering detail.
The wing Is then fabric covered and
finished with special aircraft prepara-
TONS In the work of finishing, the
student is taught to operate spray
guns, and thus is given the opportun-
fly to learn the fundamentals of paint
ing and finishing.
The finished wing Is then taken to
the general shop where the instructor
damages it in a manner that is as
close as possible to service condition
damage. The student Is then required
to make the proper repairs under speci-
fications as given by the civil aero
nautics authority Drawings are then
made up to show the repairs In detail,
these also are made according to civil
aeronautics authority.
The budding aircraft service man
then goes to the welding department
where he first studies Autobiography
and strength Of materials. He must
master also the theoretical aspects OF
fusion and adhesion welding. Precau-
tons and safe practices form an inn
portant part Of his early training. He
Is then started in actual welding work,
following a course designed for United
States army air corps welders.
Welding Shop
In his first year he is kept in the
welding shop for a period of IL weeks,
giving him $40 hours of welding. This
course is somewhat longer than that
given in schools for adults, but the
added time is put on in view Of the
fact that the students in high school
are entirely inexperienced when they
enter.
Each student who successfully COM
pletes his welding course at the Helena
Institution is then eligible for that
work on licensed aircraft. His work is
done under the close cooperation OF
a licensed airplane mechanic.
During his welding course he learns
to join all metals used In aircraft.
These are steels, aluminium, copper,
stainless steel and alloys of aluminium.
He also is expected to absorb knowl-
edge of welded structure and to learn
the mechanical practices involved
therein.
Students In the Helena vocational
school are expected, with experience, to
turn out lathe work comparable to
those Jobs which he win find In his
vocation. The school Is equipped with
several lathes and the most modern
equipment available for this type Of
instruction. Complicated projects are
not attempted, since these are not a
part Of the airplane mechanics rou-
tine work.
In the airplane shop. lathes are used
bushings and other airplane and en-
CINE parts which may require finishing
or turning to size. After completing
the lathe course, the student is ex-
pected to be able to care for service
work of this sort.
Engine Room
After the lathe instruction the
student Is transferred TO the engine
room where several aircraft engines
are always 10 be found. The local
laboratory and machine shop is the
only suitable place for airplane repair
IN this part of the state In the engine
room the students first Job Is to learn
the name and purpose Of each part OF
the afrpIane motor. He then assemblies.
times and makes all needed adjust
ments on what are termed practice
engines. These engines are not In serv-
ire and SIRE never used IN Rirplanes