PROCEEDINGS OF THE EEGENTS. 121 



atmosphere. Dr. Zahm has helped to design for the United States 

 Army a 200-horsepower biplane and has published a mathematical 

 method of analyzing the stresses sustained by such an aeroplane 

 during flight. 



The library has been furnished with the chief aeronautic periodi- 

 cals and the best books thus far published. The recent additions 

 number 120 publications, of which 71 were purchased and the others 

 received in exchange. The publications were chosen from a list 

 specially prepared by Dr. Zahm and Naval Constructor Hunsaker 

 while visiting the leading aeronautical libraries of Europe, 



The rehabilitation and successful launching of the Langley aero- 

 plane, constructed over a decade ago, was accomplished last May. 

 The machine was shipped from the Langley Laboratory to the Cur- 

 tiss Aeroplane Factory to have the planes recanvassed and hydro- 

 aeroplane floats attached before launching on Lake Keuka May 28. 

 With Mr. Curtiss as pilot the machine planed easily over the water, 

 rose on level wing, and flew in steady poise 150 feet. Subsequent short 

 flights were made in order to secure photographs of the craft in the 

 air. Then Mr. Curtiss was authorized, in order to prolong the flights 

 without overtaxing the bearings of the Langley propulsion plant, to 

 install in its place a standard Curtiss motor and propeller. 



On October 1, hovering within 30 feet of the water and without 

 material loss of speed, the great craft made in quick succession flights 

 of the following duration and length at an average speed of 50 feet 

 per second: Twenty seconds, 1,000 feet; 20 seconds, 1,000 feet; 65 

 seconds, 3,250 feet; 20 seconds, 1,000 feet; 40 seconds, 2,000 feet; 45 

 seconds, 2,250 feet. The total weight of the aeroplane with its hydro 

 floats and the pilot was 1,520 pounds. 



The tests thus far made have shown that former Secretary Lang- 

 ley had succeeded in building the first aeroplane capable of sus- 

 tained free flight with a man. It is hoped that further trials will 

 disclose more fully the advantages of the Langley type of machine. 

 It may be recalled that this aeroplane was begun in 1898 for the 

 War Department, and in the interest of the national defense. 



The numerous and comprehensive aerotechnical investigations 

 planned for the Langley Laboratory can be successfully carried out 

 only when increased funds are available. Properly equipped and 

 endowed, the laboratory would serve as a national aeronautical in- 

 stitute suitable for conducting the aerotechnical investigations and 

 tests required by the Government and the aeronautical industries 

 of this country. 



The secretary further spoke of the personnel of the advisory com- 

 mittee, and said that its operations were very much hampered by the 

 recent decision of the Comptroller of the Treasury that it was illegal 

 for the members already in the Government service to act as an ad- 



