EXPLORATION BY AIRCRAFT 



383 



(Fig. i) can be used to fly from the snow, wheels from land or smooth 

 snow-covered ice, and pontoons or boats from the water. 



Of course, there is a great deal yet to be learned about flying with 

 skis from the snow. In making turns in the snow the strain on the 

 skis and landing gear is tremendous, and it is advisable to allow in 

 their design a big factor of safety. The strain on the landing gear 

 is more from the side than from dead ahead. It would seem that the 

 skis should be constructed with a bow in them similar to the curve of 



Fig. I — The airplane used by the writer in the May 9, 1926, flight to the north pole showing, on 

 the left, the fireproof canvas cylinder with pressure gasoline stove below used to heat the engine. On 

 the right may be seen one of the skis used as landing gear. (Photograph copyrighted by Pathe News.) 



foot skis, so that the total weight of the plane does not fall on a few 

 square feet in the middle of the skis, which not only decreases the 

 factor of safety but makes the initial start more difficult. It is not 

 so easy to start a large heavily loaded plane on the snow. To facili- 

 tate the start it is important, too, to treat the bottom of the runners 

 with a mixture of tar and resin to prevent the snow from sticking to 

 them. 



Turning a large ski-equipped plane by hand power is difficult to 

 accomplish without straining or breaking the landing gear. It is 

 necessary to use blocks and tackle secured to the hub of both skis and 

 to pull both lines simultaneously and with the same force. It is ad- 

 visable to assist the pivoting of the plane by hammering the skis with 

 large wooden mallets in order to break them loose from the snow. 



