 Pritchard was greatly interested in engine development, and was an advocate of the use of heavy oil diesel engines for airship work, believing that the greatest danger to airships was
from petrol fumes and not from the hydrogen.He was responsible for the flight-testing program of the R.38, although his wishes to subject the airship to a prolonged series of tests before delivery were over-ruled by the Air Ministry.He also maintained that turning tests should not be performed at low altitude, but should follow the German practise of performing these trials at over .