Arthur E. Joerin, A. Cross, A. M.

“ It is of prime importance that the motor should be perfectly balanced. It should be direct connected to the axle holding the propeller. The gasoline reservoir is located behind the pilot's seat, the fuel being forced up into a smaller one just above the motor. In his remarkable flight from St. Cyr to Buc, the inventor of the monoplane used a two-cylinder Darraeq motor of 20 hp., which gave the propeller 1000 r.p.m. It weighed a little over 99 Ib. The entire machine weighed 260 Ib. without the pilot. ”

“ Of course the possession of plans is the basis without which it would be impossible to set about building the airship, but at the same time it is necessary to possess some mechanical skill and ability, and plenty of common sense. ”

“ A side movement pulls the rear end of the wing opposite to the side to which the pilot leans. The balancing of the whole apparatus, is, therefore, in a manner, automatic. The pilot has but to bend over to one side in order to balance the machine. Springs are introduced on the wires which control the rudders of some of the machines so as to bring the rudder back to its normal position without effort on the part of the operator. The seat is a piece of canvas or leather stretched across the two lower bamboo rods just behind the wheels. ”

“ The method of attaching the rudders to the frame is shown on Plate IV. This is practically a universal joint, allowing the steering device to be turned in any direction by the controlling wires shown on Plate I, and also in the smaller illustration of the monoplane. These wires should be carefully selected and tested for a great deal depends upon their strength. It would be very imprudent to use ordinary piano string or wire. ”

“ In order to secure the curves as shown at the top of Plate V, on the left, it would be sufficient to bend the rods over a form by force. They may also be bent by means of a string tied to the ends, drawing them together, and then plunging them into boiling water for about 15 minutes. The rods should be given plenty of time to dry before the strings are removed and they are placed in position. They will retain their shape if given time to dry, so no attempt should be made to hasten matters. If the builder desires to use wood he may proceed in like manner. ”

“ But with the guide wires firmly fixed from the frame to the wings there is little probability of any difficulty with the Santos-Dumont type.
At the very beginning it might be well to state that the greatest items of expense in the construction of the machine will be the motor and the propeller. Santos-Dumont used a Darracq motor of 30 hp. in his record-breaking flight, although he had previously made some fine flights with a 17-hp. motor. There are American motors which will do just as well, probably. ”

“ A good place at which to start would be the vertical rudder, Plate III. The thickness of the bamboo there given is the maximum one. The stronger and heavier portions are used for the centers where the joints are formed and the strain is heaviest. ”