types.

THE MONOPLANE.--The single plane type has
some strong claims for support. First of these
is the comparatively small head resistance, due
to the entire absence of vertical supporting posts,
which latter are necessary with the biplane type.
The bracing supports which hold the outer ends
of the planes are composed of wires, which offer
but little resistance, comparatively, in flight.

ITS ADVANTAGES.--Then the vertical height of
the machine is much less than in the biplane. As
a result the weight, which is farther below the
supporting surface than in the biplane, aids in
maintaining the lateral stability, particularly
since the supporting frame is higher.

Usually, for the same wing spread, the monoplane
is narrower, laterally, which is a further
aid to prevent tilting.

ITS DISADVANTAGES.--But it also has disadvantages
which must be apparent from its structure.
As all the supporting surface is concentrated
in half the number of planes, they must
be made of greater width fore and aft, and this,
as we shall see, later on, proves to be a disadvantage.

It is also doubted whether the monoplane can