My reference book on the Spitfire (The Soitfire Story by Alfred Price) debunks that theory, based on a comprehensive interview with Beverley Shenstone, the aerodynamicist who designed the wing.Just watching "Spitfire" on BBC4, the story of the Supermarine Spitfire. Apparently the wing shape and profile was developed in Germany and details obtained by a bit of pre-war industrial espionage.
My reference book on the Spitfire (The Soitfire Story by Alfred Price) debunks that theory, based on a comprehensive interview with the aerodynamicist who designed the wing.
The Heinkel 70 was a pre-war transport plane, so built for very different priorities. It was not the only aircraft to use a vaguely elliptical wing shape. The elliptical shape has aerodynamical properties that were already well known and implemented in the 30s.
The presence of the late Geoffrey Wellum amongst the interviewees dates it to more than 2 years old.
Except for the NHS Spitfire which flew over Trafford General the other week.3000ft is the lower ceiling for single pilot aircraft. And not over people or properties.
I have heard similar stories about only using flush rivets where there was an areodynamic advantage.My step dad worked for various aircraft companies after the war and he told me that building Spits using all flush rivets was expensive and time consuming so they used split peas stuck on top of the flush rivets in various places to work out where they could use ordinary proud rivets. I’ve no idea if this is true or not but it makes a good story nonetheless.
It’s a while since I studied all that, but it's ‘single engine’ not ‘single pilot’ that defines the rule, and the rule varies for different circumstances. I can’t recall any law that states 3000 feet as a minimum, but I know plenty of club rules would prohibit aerobatics below that sort of altitude. The general rule would be that all aerobatic manoeuvres had to be completed not below 3000 feet, ie recovery to level flight.3000ft is the lower ceiling for single pilot aircraft. And not over people or properties.
Overflight, not aerobatics, is a different matter. Minimum altitude is typically 1500’ over any built up area, with a minimum of 500’ separation from any person, vehicle, vessel or structure, and (in the case of single engined types) an ability to alight clear of any settlement in the event of an engine failure. And you can get dispensations for display purposes or events, and such.Except for the NHS Spitfire which flew over Trafford General the other week.
When I was flying, we were never allowed above 2000 ft and the rather built up terrain below was up to 500 ft ASL. Training for stalls was "interesting".Overflight, not aerobatics, is a different matter. Minimum altitude is typically 1500’ over any built up area, with a minimum of 500’ separation from any person, vehicle, vessel or structure, and (in the case of single engined types) an ability to alight clear of any settlement in the event of an engine failure.
My place of work is very close to the former RAF North Weald, upon which reside several warbirds, including the Hangar 11 cache which includes a Spitfire, a Hurricane, and a P51 Mustang, with a second Spitfire under restoration and about to take to the skies for the first time since she was lost on the Russian tundra in 1945. Aero Legends, which runs commercial flights in a Spitfire and a Harvard has also just taken up part-time residence. The sound of RR Merlins is pretty familiar, but I still rush out of the door every time I hear one take off from the runway.
Your training airfield was presumably under one of the big TMAs, then (think they may be called something else nowadays - my Air Law is about 10 years out of date). I’m surprised you didn’t transit out to open FIA for the upper air work, most sites are within 10-15 mins of some clear airspace, IME.When I was flying, we were never allowed above 2000 ft and the rather built up terrain below was up to 500 ft ASL. Training for stalls was "interesting".
I'm in Malaysia, the DCA does not like civil light aircraft much.Your training airfield was presumably under one of the big TMAs, then (think they may be called something else nowadays - my Air Law is about 10 years out of date). I’m surprised you didn’t transit out to open FIA for the upper air work, most sites are within 10-15 mins of some clear airspace, IME.