[Illustration: Smithsonian Report, 1914.--Zahm.
FLIGHT OF LANGLEY AEROPLANE ABOVE LAKE KEUKA SEPTEMBER 17, 1914, PILOTED BY E. DOHERTY AND DRIVEN BY A CURTISS MOTOR AND TRACTOR SCREW.]
[Illustration: Smithsonian Report, 1914.--Zahm.
LANGLEY AEROPLANE IN FLIGHT SEPTEMBER 19, 1914; CLIMBING.]
[Illustration: Smithsonian Report, 1914.--Zahm.
LANGLEY AEROPLANE IN FLIGHT OCTOBER 1, 1914; NATURAL POISE.]
[Illustration: Smithsonian Report, 1914.--Zahm.
LANGLEY AEROPLANE IN FLIGHT OCTOBER 1, 1914. HAMMONDSPORT, N. Y., IN BACKGROUND.]
On October 1, 1914, the aeroplane was launched at 11 a. m. in an off-shore breeze strong enough to raise whitecaps. Hovering within 30 feet of the water, and without material loss of speed, it made in quick succession flights of the following duration, as observed by four of us in a motor boat and timed by myself: 20 seconds, 20 seconds, 65 seconds, 20 seconds, 40 seconds, 45 seconds. As the speed through air averaged about 50 feet per second, the through air lengths of these flights were, respectively, 1,000 feet, 1,000 feet, 3,250 feet, 1,000 feet, 2,000 feet, 2,250 feet. As the aeroplane was now well out from shore among the heavy billows and white caps, Mr. Doherty landed it upon the water and turned it half about for the homeward flight. Thereupon the propeller tips struck the waves and were broken off, one casting a splinter through the center of the left wing. The pilot stopped the engine, rested in his seat, and was towed home by our motor boat. The flights were witnessed and have been attested by many competent observers.
As to the performance of the aeroplane during these trials, the pilot, Mr. E. Doherty, reports, and we observed, that the inherent lateral stability was excellent, the fore-and-aft control was satisfactory, and the movement of the craft both on the water and in the air was steady and suitable for practical flying in such weather. Apparently the machine could have flown much higher, and thus avoided touching the water during the lulls in the breeze; but higher flying did not seem advisable with the frail trussing of wings designed to carry 830 pounds instead of the 1,520 pounds actual weight.
At the present writing the Langley aeroplane is in perfect condition and ready for any further tests that may be deemed useful. But it has already fulfilled the purpose for which it was designed. It has demonstrated that, with its original structure and power, it is capable of flying with a pilot and several hundred pounds of useful load. It is the first aeroplane in the history of the world of which this can be truthfully said.