Harper's Pictorial Library of the World War, Volume XII : $b The Great Results of the War
History
Harper's Pictorial Library of the World War, Volume XII : $b The Great Results of the War
League of Nations; Treaty of Versailles (1919 June 28); World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918 -- Economic aspects; World War, 1914-1918 -- Finance
"The type of aeroplane for commercial work requires careful
consideration and design. In estimating the value of a
transport vehicle account must be taken of the respective
proportions of the load that are and are not remunerative. A
steam motor wagon that was only just able to transport the coke
for its own consumption would be useless for transport work.
The large quantity of fuel the aeroplane must carry makes this
point an important one regarding it. It affects very largely
the _type_ of aeroplane that must be chosen for each duty.
"The total lift of a large bombing aeroplane of medium speed is
about 20 lbs., while that of a small high-speed scout may not
be more than about 8 to 10 lbs. per horse-power. From these
lifts have to be deducted the weight per horse-power of the
aeroplane structure and engines. These leave a margin of about
11 pounds per horse-power in the case of the large machine and
of only about two to four pounds per horse-power in the case of
the smaller and higher speed machine. From these margins have
to be deducted the weight _per horse-power_ of the pilot and of
the fuel to be carried."
According to this expert's opinion there is little probability of using
for commercial purposes the small high-powered aeroplane. But if large
machines are used with a speed limit of 100 miles an hour and fitted
with twin engines, Mr. Page thinks that such machines will have economic
possibilities. Countries now far distant from one another can be brought
close together. For example Australia will be within a week of London,
and he thinks that passengers can be carried at the rate of about six
cents a mile. If air transport is to be systematized he is in favor of
strict state regulation:
"There must be no possible chance of the wildcat schemes of the
early railway days recurring, nor must aircraft or their pilots
be below a specified standard. The State must see that projects
doomed to failure owing to lack of financial or technical
backing are prevented from being placed before the public.
"Regulations must be drawn up which will insure that the
machines cannot be used for the public service until they have
received a certificate similar to that now issued by Lloyd's
for ships. Pilots must not be allowed to fly machines conveying
the public or mails, unless they have received a certificate
equivalent to that issued to the master of a ship by the Board
of Trade before he can take charge.
"The aeroplane will not compete with the telegraph system,
cable, or wireless, but will be a useful adjunct conveying
written signed statements, important documents, long reports,
and descriptive letters in the time of a week-end cable and at
a fraction of the cost.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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