REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 5 



As stated in my last report, the organization of the National Ad- 

 visory Committee for Aeronautics has made unnecessary for the 

 present the permanent establishment by the Smithsonian Institution 

 of the Langley Aerodyanmical Laboratory. Every facility continues, 

 however, to be afforded to Federal bureaus to study aviation models 

 and records possessed by the Institution and, in particular, to con- 

 sult the large Smithsonian Library on Aeronautics, together with a 

 general card index of aeronautical literature. 



There has recently been erected adjacent to the Smithsonian build- 

 ing a temporary structure for the use of the United States Signal 

 Serivce especially for housing aeroplanes of various designs and 

 aviation appliances. 



The executive committee of the National Advisory Committee has 

 held monthly meetings during the year, and many problems of deep 

 importance have been discussed. 



LTpon the recommendation of the committee there was organized 

 by the Council of National Defense the "Aircraft Production Board," 

 " to consider the situation in relation to the quantity production of 

 aircraft in the United States and to cooperate with the officers of 

 the Army and Navy and of other departments interested in the 

 production and delivery to these departments of the needed aircraft 

 in accordance with the requirements of each department." 



The committee also recommended to the Government the adoption 

 of a continuing program for the training of aviators and the produc- 

 tion of airplanes and the establishment of schools and an adequate 

 organization and personnel of regular officers, both in the Army and 

 Navy for the efficient use of aircraft and direction of the aviators pro- 

 vided for. As a result of the committee's activities the advance in 

 aerial preparedness has been accelerated. 



The committee has established a research laboratory at Langley 

 Field, Virginia, for the carrying on of scientific investigations. 

 Among the several subcommittees engaged in the study of aeronautic 

 problems are those on aerial mail service, aero torpedoes, aircraft 

 communication, airplane mapping, relation of the atmos^Dhere to 

 aeronautics, standardization of specifications for aeronautic materials 

 and aeronautic nomenclature, specifications for aeronautic instru- 

 ments, radiator design, motive power, and safe design, construction, 

 and navigation of aircraft. 



The second annual report of the National Advisory Committee for 

 Aeronautics was published during the year in a volume of 630 octavo 

 pages, including technical reports on " General specifications covering- 

 requirements of aeronautic instruments," " Nomenclature for aero- 

 nautics," " Mufflers for aeronautics," " Gasoline carbureter design," 

 and " Experimental researches on the resistance of air." 

 65133°— SM 1917 2 



