Wings Assessment #3

1. What technological innovations in aircraft engine design occurred during the period between the wars and how did it affect the aircraft industry?

            During the period between the two World Wars, there were various technological innovations in aircraft engine design that immensely impacted the aircraft industry. Anthony Fokker ordered his engineers to place two engines on the underside of the wings of one of his monoplanes, or single engine aircraft. This was the first trimotor plane and it was put into service from Holland to the East Indies—the longest aerial trip possible at the time. The Fokker aircraft had exceptional range and reliability making them foremost in news headlines.

            The dawn of the radial engine as the replacement to the rotary engine gave aircraft more power while dramatically reducing weight. These engines were also much easier to maintain, which made them much more suitable for aircraft-carriers, where maintenance was a problem. The radial engine was improved with the J-5C, “a nine cylinder power plant with an empty weight of 510 pounds, (that) could generate 220 horsepower at 1800 rotations per minute.” It did however have considerable drag issues with its large front face. To remedy this, the Townend ring was developed. It was a thin ring that encircled the engine cylinders and stymied drag without reducing the cooling effect imparted by the air is it would flow over the cylinders. From here the Townend ring was improved with the NACA cowling. This device functioned as an airfoil and also contained the inner skeleton intended to guide the flow of air around the cylinders to optimize cooling. Developments like these, in part helped to spur the big business that the aircraft industry would ultimately evolve into during the time between the wars. It would also lead to new aerial tactics in upcoming wars.

4. How did the science of meteorology relate to aviation?

            According to Webster, meteorology is “a science that deals with the atmosphere and its phenomena and especially with weather and weather forecasting.” Naturally, since aircraft fly through the air, often near or above cloud levels, knowledge of the weather is vital to a successful flight. The founder of modern meteorology, Vilhelm Bjerknes taught a student named Carl-Gustaf Rossby. Carl-Gustaf was hired by the Guggenheim board to create a weather-reporting system for WAE. A weather reporting system was of utmost importance for developing airlines who would not want to risk putting passengers in danger either due to high winds, snowfall, or even hurricanes tornadoes. Rossby established weather observation stations at every airport along the WAE route. At these posts, meteorologists would make weather forecasts and transmit them to other stations and aircraft that were en route.

            Weather clearly plays a huge role in aviation, and, at the time of Rossby, was greatly undervalued and appreciated. Winds can play a significant role on fuel consumption as a head-wind will greatly increase required fuel, whereas a tail-wind can greatly reduce it. Runways can become hazardous if there is sufficient snow accumulation, ice cover, or even simply rain. This can severely affect takeoffs and landings. Modern day snow removal and ice removal equipment is of huge necessity to airports across the U.S. Meteorology gives us weather forecasts that can allow these types of equipment to be at the ready when a bad storm is approaching. Without meteorology, aviation would face serious issues with passenger and pilot safety as well as with fuel consumption.

6. What influence did Charles Lindbergh have on aviation during his career?

            Charles A. Lindbergh became a national hero when he flew his plane, the Spirit of St. Louis, nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean from New York to Paris in 1927. When he returned home aboard the USS Memphis he was heralded, greeted, and celebrated everywhere he went. He wanted to use this newfound celebrity status to boost aviation, air-mindedness, and increase construction of more airports. A national tour to eight-two cities spanning 22,350 miles of flight distance was his means for accomplishing this. On December 13 he flew from Washington, D.C. to Mexico City. This marked his first leg of a tour to South America where he would visit 13 countries over a course of 62 days.

            While in Mexico he would meet the U.S. Ambassador’s daughter, Anne Morrow, to whom he proposed on their fourth meeting. Together these two became America’s darling pair. Anne learned to fly and operate the radio. This enabled the couple to fly together and observe potential airline routes. Lindbergh himself also boosted commercial aviation by helping to create two airlines: Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT) and Pan American World Airways. He also served as a technical consultant for both airlines.

            Following the kidnap and murder of his first child, the Lindbergh’s moved to Europe where they stayed until 1939. He was able to observe the German Luftwaffe on his travels and reckoned that the British RAF would struggle immensely against them. He became a spokesman for America First, voicing strong opinions that America should not intervene in the European war (WWII). He ultimately became the most well-known aviator of the twentieth century.