FACTORS INVOLVED IN HIGH AIRPLANE SPEED AT GREAT ALTITUDES

The development of the supercharger for aircraft engines has led to the possibility of hitherto unheard-of speed of transportation. An analysis of a definite case is presented to show the different aspects of the problem in a practical form, with a view toward determining what can reasonably be expected. An attempt is also made to arrive at a knowledge of the elements involved whose improvement will effect the greatest gain. The supercharger overcomes the deficiency of the ordinary gas engine's serious loss of power at great altitudes, due to its inability to obtain sufficient oxygen for the combustion of a normal charge of gas which, in an engine of conventional design, is essential to the development of its maximum output. The required and available horsepowers of the airplane itself are considered mathematically, airplane propellers and their characteristics are discussed, the climbing and flying speeds of an airplane having a supercharged engine are presented and the miscellaneous factors involved are enumerated.