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The Dayton Air Races and Governing Rules A Thorough Explanation of the Regulations of Special Interest to Prospective Contestants By B. Russell Shaw Chairman, Contest Committee N.A.A. A discussion of the technical aspects of the International Air Races, which will be held in Dayton, Ohio, Oct. 2, 3 and 4, is much easier after one has had an opportunity of seeing exactly what development the races have brought forth. Not being a prophet, or a writer of fiction, it is difficult to describe or predict what advancement will be made. We will confine ourselves to a discussion of the various events in the order in which they are placed on the program. We realize that the gospel of aviation is being spread to a great extent by civilian pilots and our hats are off to those who, against tremendous odds, are carrying on in this work in a really constructive manner. On to Dayton Race We wish to encourage these men in their work, for if they are successful, we shall also be successful. We wish to make it possible for them to attend aeronautical gatherings at a minimum cost to themselves and make it possible for them, without altering their machines, to at the same time win a certain amount of prize money. For this reason the On to Dayton race, Event No. 1 was included in the program. Prizes totaling $3,500 have been distributed over nine places. Regulations for the event are very simple, and as in previous years the prizes will be awarded on the plane receiving the total number of points. Competing planes must be flown from a point 200 mi. or more by airline from Wilbur Wright Field at Dayton, Ohio. The flight may start any time after Sept. 20. Pilots must land at Wilbur Wright Field and deliver the log of flight after 6 a. m. Sept. 24, and before 12 midnight Oct. 1. They must also carry the official log of flight provided in the regulations. The first set of points are based upon average speed, determined from the total elapsed time including stops. The maximum number of 100 points is given to a plane making an average speed of 150 mi./hr., there being one point deducted for every mile per hour the average speed is less than 150. Therefore, planes flying into the race at speeds of less than 50 mi./hr. will receive no points. In order to give credit to the pilot flying for great distances, wherein his average speed must necessarily drop below 50, due to overnight stops, one point will be awarded for each 10 mi. above 500 mi. the point of departure is distant from Wilbur Wright Field. Careful figuring of this will indicate that though a pilot receives no points for speed, in coming in from a great distance, he automatically receives a considerable number of points for the distance covered. Most pilots will desire to fly with passengers. Therefore 10 points will be awarded for each passenger carried. However, a restriction is placed in this division of the regulations, stating that passengers must average 140 lb. each. Baggage will not be included in view of the difficulty of proving that the same baggage was carried over the entire distance. The regulations for this event have been changed from those of previous years, in that the points given for engine horsepower are determined upon a cubic inch displacement basis. This eliminates difficulties and arguments, for no matter what may be the particular type of valve action, or the number of spark plugs per cylinder, or whether an engine is high or low compression, the cubic inch displacement is a definite thing and will determine the amount of horsepower credited to the pilot. This, after careful investigation, has been placed at 4 cu. in. per horsepower. It will be found upon investigating the average airplane engine of today, of the better class, that 4 cu. in per horsepower, very nearly strikes the average. In this connection, a maximum of 200 points will be awarded to the plain completing the flight, propelled by an engine of 10 hp. or less. The points are graduated on a straight line until we reach the engine of 400 hp., which receives a minimum of five points. Experience in the past has proven this event to be of great interest and it is truly remarkable how closely the points will average for pilots flying with widely varying types of ships and all coming in from different distances. National Cash Register Co. Trophy In order to further stimulate interest among the many civilian contestants who are using the well known Jenny type of plane, event No. 2 for the National Cash Register Company Trophy, has been placed in the list of contests. This is a free for all race for two-seater low horsepower airplanes, having a total piston displacement of 510 cu.in. or less. Three thousand dollars in prizes, which are to be distributed over six places, accompany this trophy. The only restrictions which are placed on this race is that each plane must carry a total load of 340 lb evenly distributed in the two cockpits, this load to consist of pilot and one passenger or ballast. The race will consist of six laps of a 15 mi. course and will start at 10 a. m. Thursday morning, Oct. 2. In order to give the pilots and the public more of the elements of racing, the planes will be sent away from a standing start, unless weather conditions or general safety prevent. This will mean that the first man across the finishing line wins. However, in order to make this a safe provision, the race may be flown in groups not to exceed seven planes each. It is expected that this contest will bring out new types of planes which have been built by civilian organizations and pilots. Those flying the old training type planes will have streamlined their fittings and otherwise improved on the performance. Some of the planes which are entered have been built for maximum efficiency with engines of the horsepower allowed by regulations. In some cases nose radiators have been eliminated and Lamblin radiators are swung under the fuselage. In other cases side radiators have been installed. We will probably also see the application of the air-cooled engines to this type of plane. Central Labor Union of Dayton Trophy Event No. 3 is for the Central Labor Union of Dayton Trophy and $3,500 in prizes distributed over six places. This is a free for all contest for two, three or four-place airplanes, providing they have engines having a total piston displacement of 800 cu. in. or less. This allows the entry of the most efficient planes which have taken part in Event No. 2, together with the devotees of greater horsepower for this type of ship. In order to make it unnecessary for pilots to carry a full load, the only requirement is that planes must carry a pilot and passenger or shot totalling 340 lb. This race will be for a distance of 120 mi., eight laps of a 15 mi. course. The contest will start at 11:30 a. m. Thursday, Oct. 2. Here again group starts have been included in the regulations rather than to run a series of speed trials, as is the case where flying starts are used. Development of planes taking part in this race will be along the same lines as those indicated in the foregoing event. Liberty Engine Builders Trophy A race which is rapidly becoming more or less historical is for the Liberty Engine Builders Trophy and $3,000 in Liberty Bonds. The prizes are distributed over five places. This contest is open to civilian and military pilots flying observation type two-place airplanes. The Liberty Engine Builders Trophy was donated by the builders of the Liberty engine during the great war. It is symbolic of the development and application of internal combustion engines. Particularly the 986
