Aircraft Radio Installations

This paper deals in a general manner with the technical aspects of aircraft radio design and installation, and illustrates the trend of development during recent years. Radio conditions and installations aboard dirigibles (lighter-than-air craft) are described and compared with the more severe conditions and requirements aboard airplanes (heavier-than-air craft). The bearing of these special conditions both on receiver and transmitter design is shown, resulting in highly specialized equipment for aircraft use, with several distinct means of power supply. Described and illustrated are also various expeditionary aircraft radio installations, emergency radio equipment, some special high-frequency aircraft radio apparatus, as well as some standard installations in naval planes. Advantages and disadvantages of various directional radio applications for aircraft navigation are shown. The paper concludes with a brief description of recently developed commercial radio equipment, and an enumeration of ground radio facilities being installed by the government; these are expected to have a far-reaching influence on safety and dependability of our rapidly developing commercial air transportation.