The subject of the carburettor as opposed t o fuel injection is one which has created much controversy in aero engine design and development. Current opinions both in this country and abroad are many and varied and it would be presumptuous to forecast which will eventually predominate. The object of this paper is to present an unbiased review in the hope of provoking a useful interchange of opinions and experiences.

It might be argued that claims for one system can be countered by claims for the other and to be impartial it is necessary, therefore, to be familiar with as many facts and as much published information as possible. Owing to the meagre amount of information available on fuel injection, the paper is not as complete a review as the authors would wish, but it is hoped that sufficient material has been presented to be helpful to those who are interested in the subject.

The Presidential Address to the Engineering Section of the British Association provides each year an opportunity for a survey of some aspect of engineering science which happens to be of especial importance at the time it is given, and often one which the experience of the President of the hour may chance to render especially appropriate. My subject to-day is “The Future of Flying.” Of its importance at the present time there can assuredly be no doubt. Aviation is surveyed by the public with a tempered pride—Pride, it is true, in man's achievement, but Apprehension, it is equally true, as to the use which is being made of it.

The aspiration towards winged flight was expressed, I submit, with great wisdom when, more than two thousand years ago, the Psalmist avowed his longing for “wings like a dove!” How wise a discrimination is revealed by the poet's asking not merely for the power of flight but that his wings shall be “dove-like.” For the space of a generation mankind has possessed the power of flight—a marvellous scientific and technical triumph but, alas, incomplete. Brilliant as was the work of the brothers Wright, the crown of achievement will not be truly won until a grateful mankind sees that the wings gained are the wings of a dove and not those of a bird of prey.

When the President of the Engineering Section did me the honour of inviting me to read a paper on trans-Atlantic Air Services, I realised that I might be in a slightly difficult position through my association with the composite aircraft, which has been put forward as one solution of the major problem of long range flying.

I have no financial interest whatever in the adoption of the composite aircraft for British trans-Atlantic services. Imperial Airways have the free user for any of their services, and if I have any interest in its adoption it is a purely technical one. Secondly, I would remind you that an engineer who recommends a wide departure from normal practice thereby accepts a heavy burden of technical responsibility. I can assure you that with this in mind I shall not lightly make any such recommendation, but on the other hand, I shall not hesitate to do so merely because I have, with many others, taken a part in this development.