The War Court and Lap Pillow, Austria's Mandate of Heaven

Chapter 1563 Seventeen Solutions

The French academic community is not monolithic; quite a few scholars are willing to accept recruitment and climb the ranks. In their descriptions, independent research and development is portrayed as a foolish approach, while purchasing from other countries and reverse engineering are considered the wiser course of action.

The slow progress of French airship technology was due to the combined efforts of many parties. In fact, France was the first country to begin researching and applying aircraft, but by then it had fallen behind Britain and Austria.

Franz wasn't too concerned about Britain's breakthrough in airship technology, since he knew that airplanes were the future.

In fact, due to Franz's intervention, the development of gliders in the Austrian Empire was very rapid at this time. They had even mastered the control of ailerons to achieve turning, as well as simple climbs and dives.

However, strictly speaking, the aircraft of the Austrian Empire at this time could not be considered true aircraft; they were more accurately described as gliders because they lacked a power unit.

During the Austrian Empire, there were more than a few attempts to add a steam engine to this glider, but each time the idea had to be abandoned due to its excessive weight.

After the gas engine was invented, scientists and avid aviation enthusiasts in the Austrian Empire immediately put it on airplanes.

As a result of insufficient power, more casualties were caused.

The development of flight technology in the Austrian Empire was not only due to the guidance of Franz, the time traveler, but also inseparable from the strong support of the Austrian government and the fervent sacrifices of flight enthusiasts.

Every year, at least twenty people die in various flying accidents and attempts at flying in the Austrian Empire's flying clubs, and if you include those who are injured or disabled, the number would probably be more than two hundred.

This was the result after Franz personally intervened and implemented numerous security measures.

However, in terms of safety performance alone, it is still much better than those early gliders in history. After all, with national support, these aviation enthusiasts and engineers can obtain high-quality parts and the most professional scientific advice.

The Austrian Imperial Arms Development Bureau installed the new four-stroke diesel engine on an aircraft as soon as it passed the test.

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna.

Vincent Augustin, head of the Austrian Imperial Weapons Development Bureau, and Wilhelm von Akengnitz, head of the Vienna Glider Club, approached Franz together.

To put it simply, both sides are proud and ambitious individuals. The weapons development bureau and the glider club each have their own different plans, and neither can convince the other, so they have no choice but to come to Franz.

In fact, to prevent the voice of important departments from being monopolized, Franz usually established two independent systems that were not subordinate to each other.

The advantage is that it avoids single points of failure; in other words, it prevents people from going down the same path to the end. In addition, it allows for mutual monitoring and competition.

However, the downsides are also obvious: in addition to the high costs, the two systems compete with each other, or even become hostile.

Therefore, Franz will not take such measures in all sectors, but mainly in the fields of defense, finance, surveillance, technology, and some important projects.

Vincent Augustine spoke first.

"Your Majesty, our Weapons Development Bureau has seven outstanding design proposals that cover all types and all uses of aircraft."

“Your Majesty, our Glider Club has ten proposals that are more comprehensive and practical than those from the Weapons Development Bureau.”

Wilhelm von Akengniz retorted, not to be outdone.

Wilhelm von Arkengenitz was an Austrian Imperial officer and a senior engineer, but his main focus was not weapons manufacturing, but military engineering. Because of his noble birth, his sociable nature, and his deep passion for aircraft, Franz entrusted the glider club to Wilhelm von Arkengenitz.

At this moment, neither of them was willing to back down, and they were even more convinced that they were right.

"How can there be so many options?"

Franz looked at the two stacks of design drawings on the table, and he was also a little worried. Of the dozen or so designs, apart from three that didn't look like they could fly at all, the rest were quite promising.

Franz was not a technical expert. Although he had learned some knowledge of his time, he mostly relied on his knowledge and impressions from later generations when making judgments.

However, since Franz had set a framework from the beginning, and both departments designed aircraft that resembled modern aircraft, he was unable to quickly eliminate incorrect answers.

"Your Majesty, we have many excellent designers."

Wilhelm von Akengnitz and Vincent Augustine said in unison.

"Okay, I understand."

Franz rubbed his forehead. It seemed there were many differing opinions within the two departments as well. There was no way around it; after all, it was a new thing, and the people involved in the research came from all walks of life, so it was normal for their ideas to be so diverse.

At this moment, Wilhelm von Akengnitz and Vincent Augustine were somewhat uneasy, after all, they had in a sense put the problem to His Majesty the Emperor, and would this be seen as a sign of incompetence?
They had no choice. Because Franz personally opposed authoritarianism in academia, the advantage was that scholars were extremely motivated to innovate, and technological revolutions came one after another.

The downsides are that opinions are hard to reach a consensus, various theories emerge one after another, and various academic groups attack each other.

In addition, the Austrian Empire's own oversight and whistleblowing mechanisms meant that these officials dared not abuse their power. Unable to persuade those people, they could only turn to Franz to solve the problem.

However, in a traditional sense, handing over matters that one cannot handle to the emperor is a clear indication of an official's incompetence.

Franz pulled out the three designs that were completely unlike airplanes. All three came from the Vienna Glider Club. Wilhelm von Akengniz clenched his fists, while Vincent Augustin could not hide his disappointment.

These designs would involve future financial allocations, and the Austrian Imperial Weapons Development Agency was, after all, an official organization. If it were to lose, it would not only lose money but also face the loss of face. That's why the two sides kept competing all the way to the Emperor's office.

However, it was Franz who ultimately drew the conclusion.
"In addition to these three options, all of them will be put into testing."

Franz's words were hard for the two to believe. Even after eliminating these three designs, there were still fourteen designs left. To put them all into testing was unheard of.

"Your Majesty, would you like to reconsider?"

"Yes, that would make the cost too high."

Franz indicated that there was no need to say more.

"You are both true experts, and I trust your judgment. Since you can't see any flaws in these designs, let's let practice prove them right."

If you make a mistake, just correct it promptly; after all, trial and error is part of the research process.

Franz did this to increase the success rate, since the Wright brothers alone failed thousands of times, and if we extend that to the entire human race, there would probably be millions of failures.