Produced by James Simmons.
This file was produced from page images at the Internet Archive.
Transcriber’s Note
This book was transcribed from scans of the original found at the
Internet Archive and at Google Books. I have rotated some images. Tables
are treated as images. There are two versions of this book: the first
contains both parts and the second is published as two volumes with
Examination Papers at the end of each, which the student would return to
the American School of Correspondence for credit. I have included these
Examination Papers at the end of each part.
[Illustration: TWENTY HORSEPOWER NEUPORT MONOPLANE MAKING A LANDING
_This Photograph Protected By International Copyright_]
BUILDING AND FLYING
AN AEROPLANE
A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK COVERING THE DESIGN,
CONSTRUCTION, AND OPERATION OF
AEROPLANES AND GLIDERS
By
CHARLES B. HAYWARD
MEMBER, THE AERONAUTICAL SOCIETY; MEMBER, SOCIETY OF AUTOMOBILE
ENGINEERS; FORMERLY SECRETARY, SOCIETY OF AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERS;
FORMERLY ENGINEERING EDITOR, THE AUTOMOBILE
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
AMERICAN SCHOOL OF CORRESPONDENCE
1912
Copyright 1912 by
American School of Correspondence
Entered at Stationers’ Hall, London
All Rights Reserved
BUILDING AND FLYING AN AEROPLANE
INTRODUCTION
The field of aviation has, from the inception of successful flight by
the Wright Brothers, had a wonderful fascination for the amateur
mechanic. At first the strong element of mystery in the movements of
this monster man-ridden bird appalled him, but an examination of
approved designs has removed the mystery and has assured him that he
can, with his own hands and at a cost well within his reach, build his
own machine in his own back yard.
But in this ease of accomplishment lies a danger, namely, the belittling
of the value of accurate design and the misjudging of the true
importance of small things. The inventive mind usually believes itself
capable of making improvements in almost anything, and the aeroplane
inventor is no exception to the rule. Filled with the confidence born of
ignorance, and with only the knowledge he has gleaned from newspaper and
magazine accounts of the popular types of machines, he works out a brand
new design. The usual, in fact, the invariable result is failure,
discouragement, and a loss of time and money. How much more sensible for
the young inventor to build his first machine without varying in one
particular from a tried and proved model, leaving his flights of
inventive fancy to his later years of maturer knowledge and judgment.
The author of this little book has followed, in both biplane and
monoplane models, the well-known types of Curtiss and Bleriot, choosing
each as the simplest representative of its class in construction and
design. It is hoped that the book may not only be of assistance to the
amateur builder, but may also be the means of turning the too confident
inventor into safer and more established paths.
[Illustration: HARRY ATWOOD IN HIS BURGESS HYDROAEROPLANE SKIMMING OVER
THE SURFACE OF MARBLEHEAD BAY]
BUILDING AND FLYING AN AEROPLANE ..................................
INTRODUCTION ....................................................
PART 1 ..........................................................
BUILDING AEROPLANE MODELS .....................................
BUILDING A GLIDER .............................................
BUILDING A CURTISS BIPLANE ....................................
DETAILS OF CONSTRUCTION .......................................