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-- Apparatus with Which It is Hoped to Solve the Problem of Aerial Navigation Depends Upon Lifting Capacity of Screws to Get Into Air——Present Experiments with Steam Power. -- Baltimore, Md., Mar. 31.-Dr. Robert W. Wood, professor of experimental physics at the Johns Hopkins University, and Otto Luyties, a skillful mechanical engineer of Baltimore, hope they have solved the problem in aerodynamics upon which Langley failed and which Santos-Dumont has not yet succeeded in unraveling. Prof. Wood is the successor to the late Prof. H. A. Rowland, the inventor of the famous spectroscope grating machine, known to all physicians, and the multiple telegraph system now being introduced in the various countries of Europe. The type of machine upon which Prof. Wood and Mr. Luyties are at work is known as the "helicopter." It is entirely different from the balloon type and belongs to what is known as the "heavier-than-air" class of airships, now attracting the attention of all who are interested in aerial navigation. It belongs properly to the same class with the aeroplane, which was the object of extensive experiments by the late Prof. Langley, of Washington. The Langley airship, however, has several drawbacks, the most serious of which is the difficulty of making landings because of the extreme high rate of horizontal velocity which it is absolutely necessary to keep up in order that the ship may sustain itself in the air. Steam as Motive Power. In the "helicopter" Messrs. Wood and Luyties hope to overcome these disadvantages entirely. In the first place, there is no stationary supporting surface, such as is required in the aeroplane, which maintains its position in the air by several pairs of huge wings and the high rate of velocity at which it is drawn. Prof. Wood and Lord Rayleigh, the renowned English physicist, differ on the question of motive power. The Englishman advocates electric motors, whereas Messrs. Wood and Luyties show this to be impracticable in that such motors are entirely too heavy, weighing 100 to 150 pounds to the horse power. Such being the case, Dr. Wood proposes using the steam engine modeled after those used in the racing automobiles. In the particular ship upon which they are now working an engine weighing about 900 pounds and capable of generating 100 horsepower at the beginning will be used. This high horsepower will be maintained for a few minutes only, as it will son reduce to forty or fifty horsepower, due to the high grade of pressure. The ship is to be lifted by the power of its engine, and movement when in the air will be obtained by what is known as the "lifting powers of its revolving propellers." These propellers will be at least forty feet in diameter and will consist of light metal frames covered with a light but strong fabric. Unlike the aeroplane, it can be stopped in mid-air and still keep its elevation, whereas the aeroplane must descend as soon as all of its motive power is cut off. Ascensional Power of Propellers. Prof. Wood in speaking for himself and Mr. Luyties, made the following statement: "The object of the experiments which are now in progress is to determine the ascensional power which can be given to a flying machine by means of very large propellers operated by engine power. The aeroplane type of machine requires a high linear velocity for its support, and this makes landing more or less dangerous. In addition to this, the machines constructed thus far have, for the most part, required some special device for launching. "Authorities for the most part are agreed that the successful machine must ascend without the aid of any apparatus to the exterior to itself, and must be capable of making a safe landing. Landing with an aeroplane will always be accompanied with some danger. "The helicopter type of machine rises vertically like a balloon, lifted solely by the upward thrust of its revolving screws. Once aloft, lateral motion can be given to it in a variety of ways. "The machine of the future will very probably be a compromise between the aeroplane and the helicopter. Up to the present time no work has been done on a large scale on the lifting power of large propellers. In the majority of cases, where the large screws have been built, attempts have been made to operate them by man power, and, this means proving wholly inadequate, the experiments have been discontinued, or efforts have been made to build a light engine to drive them. Engine the Central Feature. "In the present case the experiments will center around the engine as a foundation rather than around the screw. This seems the more logical method of procedure, as it is easier to make alternations in the screw and change its design than to make changes in the engine. "The diameter of our lifting screws will be between 35 and 45 feet at the beginning of the experiments, though it may be necessary to enlarge them. "The engine, boiler, furnace, and water will weight about 1,000 pounds; the rest of the machine about 700 pounds, and all of our calculations indicate that it should be able to raise its own weight and the weight of an operator. Our prime object, though, is not to get into the air with the apparatus, but to add to our knowledge regarding the lifting power of very large screws driven by high-powered engines, so their failure models aterials. port for women, as well as men nlarged with many wonderfully to say nothing of the hundred-an he motor miss or matron is p arter and full length, tight, sem bber, Gloria, Pongee, Taffeta, B es and the stripes and checks; a are trimmed in contrasting shad and leather trimmings 50 to $60.00 -- wing a Splendid Auto Veils HAWLEY DETERMINED TO BECOME EXPERT -- St. Louis Aero Club Skye Pilot Plans Ascensions at Home and Abroad. -- Keen Interest Shown In Lahm Cup Contest. -- Result Will Indicate Probable Winner of International Races in October. -- REPUBIC SPECIAL. New York, March 31.-Alan R. Hawley, who will pilot the St. Louis entry in the International balloon races at St. Louis next October, received a cable message to-day notifying him of his election as a member of the Aero Club of France. Mr. Hawley is the third member of the Aero Club of America to be elected to the French aeronautic club, the others being Cortlandt Field Bishop, president of the Parent Club in America, and J. C. McCoy, who, with Mr. Hawley, will contest for the Lahm Cup in St. Louis during the latter part of April or early in May. Much interest is now manifested in the coming contest for the Lahm Cup, because of the fact that the two pilots already engaged will represent the St. Louis and New York Eero clubs in the International race in October, and the result of the Lahm contest, in a measure, will indicate the probable winner if the race is won by an American balloon. Mr. Hawley, who will guide the St. Louis machine, is an enthusiast in ballooning and automobiling. He is a member of the brokerage firm of William Hawley & Co., of No. 20 Broad street. He is a member of the New York Athletic and New York Club and devotes most of his time to outdoor sports. Ascensions at Pittsfield. At Pittsfield, Mass., next Saturday, if weather conditions are favorable, Mr. Hawley will begin a series of five ascensions so as to qualify as a licensed pilot. He will also take part in the aeronautic disuplay at the Jamestown Exposition, atfer which he will go to St. Louis for participation in the Lahm Cup contest. Work is progressing satisfactorily on the aeronautic building at Jamestown, where the aeronautical exhibits will be houses. A large balloon shed and hydrogen genearting plant will also be erected. Despite the fact that Mr. Hawley has had considerable experience in balooning, he will go to France realy in the summer and remain there several weeks, making ascensions with the French aeronauts, who are generally regarded as past masters in the art of sky piloting. Mr. Hawley said to-day that there are many mysteries of air navigation with which he desires to become familiar, and he intends to perfect himself as a pilot in the real meaning of that term before taking the helm for St. Louis in the international race. New York's Representative J. C. McCoy, who will guide the destinies of the balloon representing the New York organization, is a retired capitalist, who hails from Perth Amboy, N. J., but spends most of his time in travel. He is a veteran in the field of aeronautics and an ardent patron of automobiling and all outdoor sports. A reception in honor of Walter Wellman and Major Henry B. Hersey, will be given by the Aero Club of America next Tuesday evening, when Mr. Wellman will outline his latest plans to reach the North Pole by balloon. Mr. Bishop, the president of the club, will present Mr. Wellman to distinguished members, who have faith in his ability to reach the coveted goal. The membership of the Aero Club contains the names of men well known, not only in this country, but in every section of the world, a few of them being Colonel John Jacob Astor, O. H. P. Belmont, Thomas B. Clarke, Peter Cooper Hewitt, Joseph H. Hoadley, Colgate Hoyt, Pierre Lorillard Jr., Joseph Leiter, Professor M. O. Pupin, Augustus Post, Pierre Lorillard Ronalds, Jefferson Seligman, William K. Vanderbilt Jr., Lloyd Warren, G. Creighton, Webb and Harry Payne Whitney.
