Abstract
HOPES that infra-red light might be usefully employed by aviation in foggy weather have, according to Science Service, of Washington, D.C., not been fulfilled. Dr. living Langmuir, at a recent meeting of scientific workers and engineers called by the U.S. Bureau of Aeronautics, said that there is no known source of infra-red radiation of the wave-lengths necessary for penetrating fog. The discovery of a way to produce such radiation would be a stroke of genius, and is not likely to occur in the course of routine experimentation. The scientific workers present also discouraged experiments by the Government on proposed schemes for the dissipation of fog by the use of a Tesla coil or other apparatus. Similar plans have been often suggested, and it is now known that it is theoretically impossible for them to work well enough to be of practical value. Dr. W. J. Humphreys said that methods based on scientific principles are much too expensive to be used in aviation. Two possible solutions of the problem of fog landings were approved by the meeting and intensive research was urged along these lines. The first solution was to use radio signals. By the use of suitable instruments, his position with reference to the flying field can easily be found by the aviator. It is now possible to use radio signals the wavelengths of which are not greater than ten metres. and this is the possible error of the method. It is not necessary to wait until shorter wave-lengths are available. The other solution favoured was a device similar to that used by ships to determine the depth of the sea beneath them. It is quite possible for a suitable instrument to pick up an echo from the ground and show on a dial the height in feet of the plane above it.
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Infra-Red Lights and Aviation. Nature 133, 942 (1934). https://doi.org/10.1038/133942b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/133942b0