This investigation has a double object: 1) the calculation of the general characteristics of certain wings with progressively varying sections; 2) the determination of data furnishing, in certain cases, some information on the actual distribution of the external forces acting on a wing. We shall try to show certain advantages belonging to the few wing types of variable section which we shall study and that, even if the general aerodynamic coefficients of these wings are not often clearly superior to those of certain wings of uniform section, the wings of variable section nevertheless have certain advantages over those of uniform section in the distribution of the attainable stresses.

This report covers a series of tests on thin flat elastic strips restrained at two parallel edges and subjected to shear by conversely directed stresses. Theoretical treatments, particularly those of Lilly, Southwell and Skan, and Timoshenko are briefly outlined. The problem to be solved by these tests was to find out whether, and to what extent the conditions and assumptions upon which the calculations are based are complied with in the tests.

The object of the present study was to define experimentally the field of temperature and velocity in a heated flat plate when exposed to an air stream whose direction is parallel to it, then calculate therefrom the heat transference and the friction past the flat plate, and lastly, compare the test data with the mathematical theory. To ensure comparable results, we were to actually obtain or else approximate: a) two-dimensional flow; b) constant plate temperature in the direction of the stream. To approximate the flow in two dimensions, we chose a relatively wide plate and measured the velocity and temperature in the median plane.

This report deals first with the fundamental data required for the investigation. These are chiefly the aerodynamic forces and moments acting on an airplane in a flat spin. It is shown that these forces and moments depend principally on the angle of attack and on the rotation about the path axis, and can therefore either be measured in a wind tunnel or calculated from wind-tunnel measurements of lift, drag and moment about the leading edge of the wing of an airplane model at rest.

This investigation covers only that phase of airplane accidents which are the result of sideslip. We examine the circumstances under which this occurs, study the behavior of present-day airplane types (monoplane, conventional and staggered biplane) therein and endeavor to find a solution whereby this danger may be avoided.

With the object of further clarifying the problem of spinning, the equilibrium of the forces and moments acting on an airplane is discussed in light of the most recent test data. Convinced that in a spin the flight attitude by only small angles of yaw is more or less completely steady, the study is primarily devoted to an investigation of steady spin with no side slip. At small angles, wholly arbitrary and perfectly steady spins may be forced, depending on the type of control displacements. But at large angles only very steep and only "approaching steady" spins are possible, no matter what the control displacements.

This report presents the results and a recounting of the new technological developments that were developed for the 11th Rhon Soaring Contest.

This report discusses in detail the results obtained with devices for preventing the separation of the boundary layer. In order to give an idea of the order of magnitude of the positive and negative pressures involved, we made a diagram of them, as measured at 15 degrees angle of attack on the Gottigen profile 387. The pressure scale is graduated in terms of the dynamic pressure q, which enables the evaluation of the positive and negative pressures at all velocities.

This report examines the Betz theory on frictionless, lightly loaded propellers and Prandtl's addendum extended to moderately loaded propellers. The author then goes on to extend the discussion to Goldstein's solution for propellers with a finite number of blades.

"A comparison of the relative economy of airplane construction shows that monoplanes are cheaper than biplanes; that all-metal construction is much more expensive than mixed construction; that multi-engine airplanes are more expensive than single-engine types of the same carrying capacity and speed;that the cost of airplanes is materially reduced by increasing their size without increasing the number of engines. The greatest economy usually coincides with the best aerodynamic and static conditions and the cost is always increased by safety requirements" (p. 1).

This report details the Elmira, New York soaring contest of 1930 and provides up-current maps, experiences in piloting, distance flights, and a few details on glider design.

Progress in the scientific and practical fields of aviation has caused the Swiss Institute of Technology to organize lectures and practical training courses in all three branches of aeronautics and to found centers of scientific research, laboratories, etc., in order to supply the government and industries with scientifically and technically trained engineers.

The stability conditions of Ente (duck) airplanes are investigated in this report. In developing the formulas, which afford an approximate solution, the unimportant effect of the height of the C.G. and the moment of the residual resistance are neglected. The effect of downwash from the forward horizontal empennage on the wing are also disregarded.

"When an airplane describes a curve it takes a certain time for it to turn from level to inclined position and then back to level again. In the following, we express the motion about the horizontal axis as "roll" or "bank" and the motion perpendicular to the vertical axis, i.e., the actual curve, as "turn." Equations and tables provide results on various aspects of turns, control settings, acceleration, inertia moments, and angular velocity" (p. 2).

A process for the measurement of the visibility of airplanes from the pilot's cockpit is developed. The apparatus necessary for the measurements was suitably constructed and measurements of the fields of vision were made with it. The visibilities of six airplanes of different types of construction and use were measured, as well as the visibility of an automobile for comparison. An attempt was made to establish minimum visibility requirements and to express the excellence of visibility by means of a numerical coefficient.

The following discussion is at first restricted to the light-oil engines now in use. We shall consider how far it is possible to reduce fire hazards by changes in the design of the engines and carburetors and in the arrangement of the fuel pipes.

"The deformation of aircraft wings is measured by photographically recording a series of bright shots on a moving paper band sensitive to light. Alternating deformations, especially vibrations, can thus be measured in operation, unaffected by inertia. A handy recording camera, the optograph, was developed by the static division of the D.V.L. (German Experimental Institute for Aeronautics) for the employment of this method of measurement on airplanes in flight" (p. 1).

This investigation attempts to surpass the boundaries of pure mathematical interest in that it possesses as an example, a flow investigation in a multiply-connected region. Then the results appear to be carried out by means of an appropriate conformal representation of the region around two chosen closed curves. Thus we have the basis of an exact plane theory of the biplane.

To summarize, the experiments with balloons, sailplanes and light airplanes conducted thus far, reveal the vertical velocities of the air to be primarily dependent on the vertical temperature distribution. Stable stratifications result in up-and-down currents forced by the contour of the ground, which are readily recognized in flight and, if need be, may be avoided.

Report discussing the design of the wind vane described rests on the following line of reasoning: An airplane, originally in equilibrium about its C.G. is assumed to be deflected from this position through an angle (delta)i, the variation (delta)i being so sudden that the path of the C.G. and the airplane speed do not change while it is taking place. The aerodynamic forces acting on the wings, tail surfaces, fuselage, etc., which, as a whole, exerted a zero moment (M(sub G) = 0) about the center of gravity at the instant of equilibrium, now exert a moment M(sub G) not equal to 0.

This report explains and details the history of glider design and construction through the impetus of the Rhon Sailplane contests. Some of the topics considered include: whether the longitudinal stability (dynamic and static) is sufficient in the tailless typo and a consideration that the structural weight of sweptback wings would be greater than that of a corresponding normal wing.

A complete technical description of the Clerget heavy-oil engine is presented along with the general characteristics. The general characteristics are: 9 cylinders, bore 120 mm, stroke 130 mm, four-stroke cycle engine, rated power limited to 100 hp at 1800 rpm; weight 228 kg; propeller with direct drive and air cooling. Moving parts, engine block, and lubrication are all presented.

This report presents a description, diagrams and photographs of the Charlestop remote brake system. A description of the brake system and diagrams showing the individual components are provided.

"It seems hardly necessary to use a supercharger near sea level simply to mix the gases. The importance of the supercharger will increase with the use of heavy fuels. Before long we shall probably be using two-stroke-cycle and four-stroke-cycle scavenging engines on airplanes. In accord with the present tendency, we shall present here the French solutions of the problem in a practical rather than in a purely theoretical manner" (p. 1).