New-York tribune., 1903-07-21
LANGLEY,S AEROPLANE.

Until Professor Langley has had chance to
conclude the fresh series of experiments in
aerial navigation which he is about to under
take over the Potomac no opinion can be formed
concerning their success. In advance, however,
one can perceive the character of the chief
problems requiring solution. By his earlier at
tempts, especially with the models of 1896 Pro-
fessor Langley demonstrated that a moving
aerOplane has all the buoyancy which is needed,
and that his particular form of it possessed
marked stability. Indeed in this latter respect
it distinctly surpassed Lilienthal's apparatus
and is undoubtedly superior to MaXims. So
far as the airship itself is involved, perhaps the
most striking developments to be witnessed dur
ing the next few weeks will be the exhibition
of a craft large enough to carry a man, and the
use Of an engine powerful enough to prOpel it
for half an hour or more instead of only single
minute. Any radical change in the design that
was tested on a small scale seven years ago
need hardly be expected.
The most formidable task which Professor
Langley has been obliged recently to face ap-
parently is getting his airship under way. Once
aloat and under control, it should be compara-
lively easy to bring it down in safety. If the
test is made over water by a man who can
swim, the worst which he could anticipate
would be wetting at the end OF the trip. The
chief embarrassment is presented at the very
outset A simple balloon or craft Of the Santos
Dumont type is lifted by gas when liberated
from its moorings; and the chief care of its
navigator is to avoid collision with telegraph
wires trees and houses until he reaches GER
tain elevation. The support of an aeropIane
depends upon forward motion, and must be art-
ficially provided for until that is acquired. Li-
enthal jumped off a housetop or the brow of
problem. Maxim did not carry his experiments
far enough to do so, either. Most of Langley's
previous failures have been due to difficulty in
launching his craft. Very often little puff of
wind would upset it while it yet rested on the
elevated platform of the houseboat which was
its point of departure
1t will be necessary to provide against this
contingency, and also to overcome gravity dur
ing the initial five or ten seconds of the trim
For the latter service, 1t has been intimated, a.
mechanism resembling a catapult may be en-
ployed. Perhaps a railway on which a fying
start may be made, and incIining upward. NAV
be found sufficient, the airship being held in
leash until her propellers are whizzing swiftly
Maxim had a railway track laid on land to
ascertain the power of his engines and screws
If the Smithsonian expert uses one successfully
for different purpose, the expedient will be
practically original with him.
Lively as is the curiosity of the public in re-
gard to these fascinating, if not valuable
studies, it is to be regretted that Professor
Langley's intentions were discovered so soon
On several previous occasions the results of his
tests were not all that he could wish. For that
reason he preferred to make them privately
Almost invariably he has been able to do so
Naturally he is reluctant to have hastv and
premature judgments formed from trivial cir
cumstances and seeming failures, or to explain
his methods until he has satisfied himself re-
garding their efficacy. He is entitled TO take all
the time he wants and to do things in his own
way.