NO. 3 LANGLEl MEMOIB ON MECHANICAL PLIGHT 



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other uncontrollable causes, a1 lasl we had a day ideally sailed to the lest. This 

 was, to be sure, not the greal test, the I'mal test, the tesl of the man-carrying 

 flyer, but it was felt by all to be of almost equal importance, for if the bal- 

 ancing of the small aerodrome was correct, the large one would maintain its 

 equilibrium, and the problem of human flight would be solved practically as 

 well as theoretically. That the weather was now favorable for the test filled 

 us with excitement. Again and again the favorable moment had seemed to 

 come, and had gone again before we could make ready for it. The aero- 

 drome was rapidly carried to the upper works of the house-boat and the ob- 

 servers and helpers went hastily to their positions. The large tug-boat was sta- 

 tioned directly ahead, almost in the line of flight, and about a mile from the 

 house-boat. Signals of readiness were exchanged, and with every sense astrain 

 we awaited the supreme moment. The rocket gave the starting signal, and in- 

 stantly there rushed towards us, moving smoothly, without a quiver of its wings, 

 with no visible means of motion and no apparent effort, but with tremendous 

 speed, the strange new inhabitant of the air. Onward it moved, looking like a 

 huge white moth, but seeming no creature of this world, not only on account 

 of its size, its ease of movement and its wonderful speed, but also because of its 

 strange, uncanny beauty. It seemed visibly and gloriously alive as it advanced, 

 growing rapidly larger and more impressive. Straight at us it came, and for 

 a moment there was a wild fear that it would come right on and crush itself 

 against the ponderous tug-boat. There was a half impulse to move the tug-boat 

 out of its way, but the aerodrome seemed to realize its danger and rapidly, 

 though not abruptly or violently, as if it had intelligence and power of self- 

 direction, it checked its speed and circled to the right, descending slightly. Soon 

 it quickened its speed again and went straight ahead for about ten seconds, 

 when it again checked its flight and descended, circling once more. Once again 

 it attempted to increase its speed and rise, but it was too near the water, and 

 in a few moments the waves had wet its propellers and wings, and it sank, a 

 poor, bedraggled creature. But the vision of its beauty and power and seem- 

 ing intelligence and life will long remain with those who saw its flight." 



After removing the model launching track so that the final arrangements 

 could be completed for testing the large machine, many weeks of delay were 

 experienced, almost entirely due to the unusually bad weather conditions which 

 prevailed, and which were unprecedented for the time of the year. However, 

 on September 3 the weather became more suitable, and the aerodrome being in 

 readiness the metal frame of the large machine was hoisted to the top of the 

 boat and placed on the launching car, and the wings, rudder, etc., were then 

 hoisted up and properly assembled and everything made ready for a flight. 

 The parties with the telephoto cameras were sent to their stations on the shore, 

 where definite base lines had been marked out so that with the data as to alti- 



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