REPORT OP 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 Langiey Aerodynamical 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 

 Service 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. 



Upon 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 adop- 

 tion of a continuing program for the training of aviators and the 

 production 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 provided for. As a result of the committee's activi- 

 ties the advance in aerial preparedness has been accelerated. 



The committee has established a research laboratory at Langiey 

 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 

 communicating, airplane mapping, relation of the atmosphere to 

 aeronautics, standardization of specifications for aeronautic ma- 

 terials and aeronautic nomenclature, specifications for aeronautic in- 

 struments, radiator design,, motive power, and safe design, construc- 

 tion, 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 Aeronautics," " Mufflers for Aeronautics." " Gasoline Carbureter 

 Design," and " Experimental Researches on the Resistance of Air." 



