Dartmouth Takes Off
GEOKGE HITCHCOCK 'l2 was perhaps the first Dartmouth undergraduate to operate a glider. In March, 1911, he slid down a slope on the golf links, rose a few inches "to soar gracefully," said The Dartmouth, and landed with a smashed front elevator. "Other successful flights followed." That same college year—in May, 1912—a dual glider meet was held with Cornell. Although Dartmouth lost the meet, the local aeronauts were able to tie Cornell in the distance test. These activities comprised the events in the program of gliding at Dartmouth until the present Aeronautical Society came into existence last year.
At first limiting its energies to learning the rudiments of plane design and construction and theory of flight, the society ran an organized ground school course. It was not very long before thoughts of flying began to formulate in the minds of the members and even before Christmas vacation of last year plans were being laid for the acquisition of some means of getting off the ground and into the air. Gliding, with its comparatively low initial cost and cheapness of operation, seemed to provide this means.
Edward P. Warner, former assistant secretary of the navy for aeronautics and now editor of Aviation, was a guest of the society over the week-end of March 1, 1930. Besides delivering a lecture in Dartmouth Hall and giving a talk at Tuck School, he conferred with the society on the subjects of gliding and gliders. Interest being thoroughly aroused and money pledged by the members for purchasing a plane, the collection of the funds and negotiation with manufacturers began.
About this time Raymond J. Hurley 'lB of Chicago became interested in the prospects of glider activity at Dartmouth and conceived the generous idea of helping the Aeronautical Society to acquire a suitable ship for training purposes. Under a veil of secrecy Mr. Hurley found out the plans of the society. In fruition of his idea the Gill Glider was presented to us early in May by a group of Dartmouth Alumni in memory of. James W. Gill 'lB. These men wished to establish some memorial to Gill from the members of his fraternity delegation and chose this gift as one that would benefit the entire college. The Dartmouth Aeronautical Society feels deeply appreciative to Mr. Hurley and the alumni who contributed to the Gill Glider.
SETTING UP THE GLIDER
After we spent a Saturday fumbling blue prints and interpreting mimeographed instructions, the glider was assembled at the Twin State Airport in White River Jet., Yt. Adjusting landing wires and tightening flying wires and regulating control cables were tasks that could not be rushed; but the glider was soon ready for use after a thorough check-up. Several days were spent in getting the men familiar with the controls and in learning lateral stability, a most important preliminary step. To do this the glider was hauled across the airport landing field and perched on a small elevation. A brisk breeze would give the man in the pilot's seat complete lateral control without leaving the ground. Lacking wind a man at the wing tip simulated the breeze by reacting properly to the pilot's movement of the stick. Knowledge and practise in the use of ailerons were thus gained.
Owing to the nearness of Commencement the Gill Glider was not used for any long hops, the time being spent mostly in training and, since flying experience was somewhat limited, minor repairs were frequently necessary until a very serious mishap curtailed our gliding activity for that spring. Summer vacation separated the group of enthusiasts and the glider resided in the local hanger until this fall.
During the summer months some flying experience was gained in powered airplanes and a few men returned to college as licensed airplane pilots. This was an added incentive to renew gliding. The Gill Glider was once more put into flying condition and the summer dust was brushed from the pilot's seat. This time the plane was used much more extensively with many more men taking flights. The enviable record of no mishaps at all this year shows the thoroughness of training and precautions taken to eliminate accidents.
Gliders are not fool-proof. Their noses can be pulled up into a stall that may result in a crash. A wing may crumple, controls could jam; but these latter eventualities can be avoided by a rigid inspection before each flight. A source of security, the strength of construction of the Gill Glider—an Alexander primary trainer—minimizes structural failures.
We use the automobile tow method of launching the glider into the air. Under proper supervision this is generally regarded as the best method for novices since it allows the student to become accustomed to his controls at such low speeds that it is hardly possible for him to get into serious difficulty. Every manoeuvre is made by manipulating two control levers—the stick and the rudder bar. In gliding there is no throttle to distract the beginner. The student is not taken into the air immediately, even after his preliminary training in lateral stability as already explained. He is towed back and forth across the field at a speed of about fifteen miles an hour while he learns to steer. Thus in progressive steps the speed of towing is increased as the student's attainment in the successive grades warrants.
FLYING THE GLIDER
After this preliminary work, the student is propelled at a rate that will allow him to take off and fly a short distance off the ground across the entire length of the field. This is done so that the pilot may gain some selfconfidence and also that in case of an uncertainty the distance down is not too great. The automobile tow method gives the driver of the car control over the pilot and the glider at all times. It is somewhat comparable to a powered plane with the motive power transferred from the car to the glider through the rope. The man at the wheel can govern the man at the stick.
The Gill Glider has been flown, towed by the car, to a height in excess of 100 feet. Movies show the release and the glider, headed into the wind, taking a short flight to alight in a perfect landing. Even in this trainer glider we can reach a greater height by using a longer rope and awaiting a stronger breeze, Early appearance of snow this year did not deter or hamper our gliding operations. A path for the automobile was made and winter hops were taken by employing the same towing procedure. The cushioning effect of the snow was appreciated, when hard landings would otherwise have occurred.
The success and enthusiasm of our gliding activities even as limited as we have been for the past months by excessive depth of snow and lack of shock cord launching equipment—have made it apparent that some of the men are ready for more extensive training in an advanced type of glider or, as hopes are being raised and various plans projected, perhaps forming a group for owning and operating a small powered airplane. The Gill Glider remains our primary trainer and a memorial from a generous group of Dartmouth alumni to a gallant graduate. This plane, when the snow diminishes and operations can begin again this spring, will still be enjoyed. All the more as a result of our past experience.
The airport from which our glider operates is now under the management of Curtiss-Wright Flying Service and because of its generosity and under certain restrictions we are still permitted to use the Twin State Airport field and have access to Curtiss-Wright's facilities; such as competent instruction in various types of airplanes and opportunity to rent ships for solo flights and cross-country trips.
Dartmouth is not the most air-minded college in the East; but with student interest in gliding and actual participation in some of the thrills and benefits of flying, a few undergraduates are being brought to realize that aviation offers more than a chance to gape and wonder at planes and the men who fly them.
JAMBS W. GILL '18 In whose memory the Training Glider was given.
IN THE SPRING TURNS TO THOUGHTS OF FLYING
ASSEMBLING THE GLIDER
TOWING THE GLIDER
NOSING DOWN
