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grave uncertainty as to how it would operate in time of
emergency。 He is now quoted as being thoroughly satisfied
with its practicability。 It is this automatic device
which gives the Van Anden machine at least one distinctively
new feature。
While on this subject it will not be amiss to add that
Mr。 Curtiss does not look kindly on automatic control。
〃I would rather trust to my own action than that of a
machine；〃 he says。 This is undoubtedly good logic so
far as Mr。 Curtiss is concerned； but all aviators are not
so cool…headed and resourceful。
Motive Power of Van Anden。
A 50…horsepower 〃H…F〃 water cooled motor drives a
laminated wood propeller 6 feet in diameter； with a 17
degree pitch at the extremities； increasing toward the
hub。 The rear end of the motor is about 6 inches back
from the rear transverse beam and the engine shaft is
in a direct line with the axes of the two horizontal rudders。
An R。 I。 V。 ball bearing carries the shaft at this
point。 Flying； the motor turns at about 800 revolutions
per minute； delivering 180 pounds pull。 A test of the
motor running at 1；200 showed a pull of 250 pounds on
the scales。
Still Another New Aeroplane。
Another new aeroplane is that produced by A。 M。
Herring （an old…timer） and W。 S。 Burgess； under the
name of the Herring…Burgess。 This is also equipped
with an automatic stability device for maintaining the
balance transversely。 The curvature of the planes is
also laid out on new lines。 That this new plan is
effective is evidenced by the fact that the machine has
been elevated to an altitude of 40 feet by using one…half
the power of the 30…horsepower motor。
The system of rudder and elevation control is very
simple。 The aviator sits in front of the lower plane；
and extending his arms； grasps two supports which extend
down diagonally in front。 On the under side of
these supports just beneath his fingers are the controls
which operate the vertical rudder； in the rear。 Thus； if
he wishes to turn to the right； he presses the control
under the fingers of his right hand； if to the left； that
under the fingers of his left hand。 The elevating rudder
is operated by the aviator's right foot； the control
being placed on a foot…rest。
Motor Is Extremely Light。
Not the least notable feature of the craft is its motor。
Although developing； under load； 30…horsepower； or that
of an ordinary automobile； it weighs； complete； hardly
100 pounds。 Having occasion to move it a little distance
for inspection； Mr。 Burgess picked it up and walked
off with itcylinders； pistons； crankcase and all； even
the magneto； being attached。 There are not many 30…
horsepower engines which can be so handled。 Everything
about it is reduced to its lowest terms of simplicity；
and hence； of weight。 A single camshaft operates
not only all of the inlet and exhaust valves； but the magneto
and gear water pump； as well。 The motor is placed
directly behind the operator； and the propeller is directly
mounted on the crankshaft。
This weight of less than 100 pounds； it must be
remembered； is not for the motor alone； it includes the
entire power plant equipment。
The 〃thrust〃 of the propeller is also extraordinary；
being between 250 and 260 pounds。 The force of the
wind displacement is strong enough to knock down a
good…sized boy as one youngster ascertained when he
got behind the propeller as it was being tested。 He
was not only knocked down but driven for some distance
away from the machine。 The propeller has four
blades which are but little wider than a lath。
Machine Built by Students。
Students at the University of Pennsylvania； headed by
Laurence J。 Lesh； a protege of Octave Chanute； have
constructed a practical aeroplane of ordinary maximum
size； in which is incorporated many new ideas。 The
most unique of these is to be found in the steering gear；
and the provision made for the accommodation of a
pupil while taking lessons under an experienced aviator。
Immediately back of the aviator is an extra seat and
an extra steering wheel which works in tandem style
with the front wheel。 By this arrangement a beginner
may be easily and quickly taught to have perfect control
of the machine。 These tandem wheels are also
handy for passengers who may wish to operate the car
independently of one another； it being understood； of
course； that there will be no conflict of action。
Frame Size and Engine Power。
The frame has 36 feet spread and measures 35 feet
from the front edge to the end of the tail in the rear。 It
is equipped with two rear propellers operated by a Ramsey
8…cylinder motor of 50 horsepower； placed horizontally
across the lower plane； with the crank shaft running
clear through the engine。
The 〃Pennsylvania I〃 is the first two…propeller biplane
chainless car； this scheme having been adopted in order
to avoid the crossing of chains。 The lateral control is
by a new invention by Octave Chanute and Laurence J。
Lesh； for which Lesh is now applying for a patent。 The
device was worked out before the Wright brothers' suit
was begun； and is said to be superior to the Wright
warping or the Curtiss ailerons。 The landing device is
also new in design。 This aeroplane will weigh about
1；500 pounds； and will carry fuel for a flight of 150 miles；
and it is expected to attain a speed of at least 45 miles
an hour。
There are others； lots of them； too numerous in fact
to admit of mention in a book of this size。
CHAPTER XVIII。
DEMAND FOR FLYING MACHINES。
As a commercial proposition the manufacture and sale
of motor…equipped aeroplanes is making much more
rapid advance than at first obtained in the similar
handling of the automobile。 Great； and even phenomenal；
as was the commercial development of the motor
car； that of the flying machine is even greater。 This is
a startling statement； but it is fully warranted by the
facts。
It is barely more than a year ago （1909） that attention
was seriously attracted to the motor…equipped aeroplane
as a vehicle possible of manipulation by others
than professional aviators。 Up to that time such actual
flights as were made were almost exclusively with the
sole purpose of demonstrating the practicability of the
machine； and the merits of the ideas as to shape； engine
power； etc。； of the various producers。
Results of Bleriot's Daring。
It was not until Bleriot flew across the straits of
Dover on July 25th； 1909； that the general public awoke
to a full realization of the fact that it was possible for
others than professional aviators to indulge in aviation。
Bleriot's feat was accepted as proof that at last an
absolutely new means of sport； pleasure and research；
had been practically developed； and was within the
reach of all who had the inclination； nerve and financial
means to adopt it。
From this event may be dated the birth of the modern