(2) Air System 

The air system comprises a forward and an aft ballonet, a system of scoops, ducts, valves and air chambers. Air is taken in at scoops located in the port and starboard motor outriggers and is led through a check valve of the butterfly type into an air chamber. From this chamber, two air ducts lead, one to the forward and the other to the aft ballonet, through ma~ually controlled dampers. An automatic valve is connected to each ballonet system and is set to release air automatically when the pressure reaches a pre› determined value. In airships K-3 thru K-98, a blower with a gasoline power plant is provided in the cabin to supply pressure to the air system when the pressure from the regular system becomes inadequate. In airships K-99 and future, an electric blower is provided. The construction of the system is described in full detail in the "Descriptive Specifications Manual." The operation of the system is considered further below: 

(a) Scoops 

As mentioned above, air is collected by scoops located in the port and the starboard outrigger and is led to an air chamber through check valves. This air chamber can be con› nected to either or both ballonets by means of two manually controlled dampers. The air pressure in the ballonets can be adjusted within certain limits, as described further on, by regulating the opening of the scoops. 

