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In this lecture, which the Council of the Aeronautical Society, through Mr. Griffith Brewer, have done me the great honour to ask me to deliver before you, I propose to consider the rôle of speed or fast flying in aeroplanes.
As soon as aeroplanes were able to fly, the next preoccupation of designers was to make them fly as fast as possible. In order to stimulate constructors, Mr. James Gordon-Bennett created his International Aviation Cup, destined to consecrate every year the fastest flying machine. This contest, held yearly since 1909, will give us a valuable basis to examine the lessons which aviation has been able to draw from pure speed.
Note on Page 46 * In English writings use has not been made so far of a literal translation of the French term “ machine tangente.” It may be derived directly from the fact that such a machine would always be touching the (level) ground from which it tried to rise, even when going its fastest; or indirectly from the fact that if the curve of the motor power be plotted over the curve of the aerial resistance in the case of a “ machine tangente,” the two curves will touch at one point only, tangentially. The most suitable short equivalent of the term is, we suggest, “ a ‘ no-margin ’ machine.” (“ A ‘ single-speed’ or single angle machine” is liable to be misunderstood.)—Editor, “Aeronautical Journal.”
Note on Page 47 * Won by the Author at a mean speed of 78 miles an hour.—Editor, “ Aeronautical Journal.”
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