THIS paper contains the results of a modest attempt that has been in progress for the past few years to develop certain characteristics in airplanes that would make them better suited to general private use. A two-place pusher monoplane, the W-1, was constructed as part of this program, and later, with the aid of the Bureau of Air Commerce, was modified to include special flaps and special ailerons.
The distinctive technical features fall into four main divisions, the first discussing the landing-gear arrangement. A stable three-wheel landing-gear was used that eliminates many of the present landing, take-off, and ground-handling difficulties.
The second division deals with means for obtaining lateral stability and control at low speeds, with freedom from the dangers of the stall.
The third takes up a flap arrangement for obtaining direct and immediate control of the glide-path angle to facilitate landing steeply at the exact point desired.
The fourth describes a fairly comprehensive investigation into the possibility of simplifying control by eliminating either the rudder or the ailerons, particularly under adverse conditions such as those of precision landings with a cross wind.