The Self-Sufficient Airplane

Various methods of starting the turbo-prop engines of the De Havilland Buffalo are discussed. As a result of the evaluation, the system adopted results in an airplane which is self-sufficient, i.e., needing no ground power for its continuing operation anywhere in the world. It is shown that this is achieved with a weight saving over other types of start systems. Advantages, economic and otherwise are discussed, and the suggestion is made that self-sufficiency is a desirable end in itself and may be applied to airline type of operations.