Running head: WORLD WAR I AND AVIATION DEVELOPMENT 4
World War I and the Rapid Development of the Aircraft and Engines
2.7 Case Analysis
Katlyn M. Darling
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Abstract
Before World War I (WWI), there was widely held skepticisms on the efficacity of airplanes in military use. Early airplanes were indeed frail and unreliable before the war. Eventually, airplanes were discovered to be useful in observing the progress of the war, a job that balloons were usually tasked with. Aerial reconnaissance in early WW1 was proven to be immensely valuable. However, months after the war began, the airplanes full potential was starting to be realized. The world began to realize the effectiveness of planes and how the
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The use of the ailerons instead of wing warping.
Advantages. Ailerons were much more effective and practical than wing warping. The airplanes wing structure did not have to be weakened like the wing warping technique. ("The Patent Wars", 2017)
Disadvantages. The Wright brothers held the patent for lateral control of airplanes and would not allow other people to use ailerons in their airplane design. This prevented aviation advancement in the U.S. in the beginning of the war ("The Patent Wars", 2017).
Alternative Action 2. The development of the rotary engine.
Advantages. The rotary engine had better power-to-weight ratios than the inline engines ("The History of Aero Engines", 2017).
Disadvantages. Gyroscopic precession made the controls tricky and caused stability problems (Rickard, 2007)
V. Recommendation
Aviation technology increases greatly during WWI. Ailerons were used for lateral control instead of wing warping. This allowed the wings to be designed sturdier. Also, the rotary engines gave aircraft better power-to-weight ratios. However, major problems with stability would eventually make this engine obsolete. This makes Alternative Action 1 the superior solution to the advancement of aviation technology during