SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO KNOWLEDGE VOL. 27 



and to return again to the center of the field. With marvelous precision, the 

 aeroplane began to describe a circle of about 200 in. radius, inclining as if on a 

 banked track. Having finished the flight, lie quickly regained his balance still in 

 direction of the wind, but on account of a slight movement of the aviator, 

 the aeroplane fell to such an extent that he was obliged to land. He landed 

 gently and without shock, rolling on his wheels. 



On August 1, he made another fligril of 100 m. in 6i seconds; and on the 6th, 

 of 265 in. with one interruption. While the attention of the pilot was dis- 

 tracted lor a moment, the aeroplane, which was flying at a height of 2 or 3 m. 

 above the ground, touched the soil with its sustaining wheels at the end of 122 in. 

 and then immediately arising, covered the remaining 143 in. at a height of 12 m. 

 Bleriot, moving forward too quickly, caused the aeroplane to descend swiftly to 

 the ground, and the shock broke the axle and the blades of the propeller were 

 bent. In order to confirm this account, we reproduce what was said in the 

 " Auto " of August 7, 1907. 



•' M. Bleriot, continuing the trials of his aeroplane yesterday, surpassed the 

 superb results which he had already obtained. The trial took place at 2 o'clock 

 in the afternoon on the aviation fieTo of Issy. After a sustained flight of about 

 122 in. at a height of 2 in., the aeroplane touched the ground, without stopping, 

 however, and set out again almost immediately at a height of 12 m. and traversed 

 about 14.". in. M. Bleriot, who for the time had no other means of balancing but 

 b\ moving his body, then moved a little forward to stop the ascent. The aero- 

 plane plunged forward, and in the fall the propeller was damaged and the axle 

 broken. 



•' M. Bleriot, whose courage as a sportsman equals his learning as an engin- 

 eer, was fortunately uninjured. An inspection of the apparatus showed that one 

 blade of the propeller was bent, which was sufficient to prevent the maneuver 

 made by the aviator having its desired effect and contributed to the fall. The 

 engine will lie repaired without difficulty and the trials will lie resumed Friday." 



On August 10, he made a flight of SO ni., but the motor was not in perfect 

 order, so Bleriot did not make other trials. He decided, however, to substitute 

 definitely a 50 IIP. motor for the 24 HP. motor with which he made all (lie o\ 

 periments above reported, which were of a character to encourage the most san- 

 guine expectations. 



Ferber advised Bleriot to adopt an elevating rudder also, because the effect 

 produced by changing the position of the center of gravity, although efficacious 

 is very difficult and delicate to control. 



The conclusion of an article by Ferber in " "Mature " of August 10, is worthy 

 of note. He says: " Let us remark, in conclusion, how fruitful is the method of 

 personal trial which we have always advised in preference to any calculation. 

 This year, with his fourth apparatus, Bleriot has not met with any damage to 

 hi- aeroplane. He made the trials himself and they quickly led to results, because 

 each trial gave him an exact idea of what was to be corrected. That is the con- 

 dition of success." 



