CHAPTER XXVI -Flying Machines Construction And Operation

Chapter XXVI of “Flying Machines: Construction and Operation” delves into the realm of monoplanes, triplanes, and multiplanes, highlighting the shift in American aviation from a focus primarily on biplanes to exploring and embracing these alternative designs. At the 1910 International meet in Belmont Park, N.Y., American participation in monoplane competitions was minimal, with notable aviators like Moissant, Drexel, and Glenn Curtiss being exceptions, the latter presenting his own single-decker construct. This chapter underscores the growing interest in monoplanes in the U.S., spurred by Curtiss’s success and innovation, marking a significant evolution in American aviation design preferences.

The text provides intricate details of various monoplanes, including those by Bleriot, Antoinette, and Curtiss, noting their dimensions, engine types, and operational capabilities. For example, the Bleriot operated by Moissant had a length of 23 feet, a breadth of 28 feet, and was powered by a 7-cylinder, 50 h.p. Gnome engine. Similarly, detailed are the specifications of other aircraft like the Antoinette and Curtiss’s creation, emphasizing the diversity and innovation in monoplane design during this era.

Monoplanes’ competitiveness and capability are highlighted through discussions of their successes at Belmont Park, where they secured significant winnings, demonstrating their viability and performance. The chapter expands upon this with a focus on the most popular monoplanes of the time—the Santos-Dumont, Antoinette, and Bleriot—providing specifics on their construction, performance, and unique features, proving each as a testament to early 20th-century aeronautical engineering and design ingenuity.

In transitioning from monoplanes, the chapter briefly explores innovations in triplanes and biplanes, mentioning the Stebbins-Geynet Co.’s combination triplane and biplane, which offered versatility and efficiency with its unique design allowing for easy conversion between the two forms. This section continues to broaden the reader’s understanding of the period’s aviation industry’s experimental and versatile nature.

Furthermore, the chapter introduces other significant aviation advancements, such as the Cody biplane, noted for its automatic control system and the Pressey automatic control, showcasing early attempts at stabilizing aircraft. Lastly, the Sellers’ multiplane is presented, an exemplar of innovation using minimal horsepower for flight, embodying the era’s experimental spirit and the relentless pursuit of aerodynamic efficiency and control in early aircraft design.