Upon thus reviewing the progress of the work during 1894, it was felt that the results which had been accomplished for such a large expenditure of time seemed small, since no real flight had been made by any of the aerodromes, and no definite assurance that a successful flight would be obtained within the immediate future seemed warranted by what had already been accomplished. But now that the principal difficulties connected with the launching apparatus had been overcome, thus permitting the aerodromes themselves to be given a fair trial, the belief was encouraged that the continuance of the actual tests of the machines, with slight changes which previous tests had shown advisable, would finally result in a successful flight. The early weeks of 1895 were spent in a series of pendulum tests on No. 5, and in making such slight changes as these tests indicated would be advisable. As a result of small improvements introduced in the boilers, No. 5 had by the middle of March shown a repeated lift of considerably over 50 per cent, and in some tests as much as 62 per cent of its flying weight. Certain radical changes previously described in Chapter VII were also made in Aerodrome No. 4, and in the pendulum tests of it a lift of 44 per cent of its flying weight had been obtained. Encouraged by the better results which the aerodromes had shown in the above tests, it was decided to test them again in free flight, and they were accordingly sent down to Quantico in charge of the two mechanics, R and M, Mr. Langley, accompanied by Dr. Graham Bell, whom he had invited to witness the tests, following on May 8. On the evening of May 8 No. 5 was mounted on the launching apparatus in order to drill the mechanics so that when favorable weather presented itself the aerodrome could be got ready for launching with the minimum delay. On May 9 Mr. Langley and Dr. Bell reached the house-boat at 5 a. m., but even with the drill of the previous evening the mechanics were not able to have No. 5 ready for trial until 6.15 a. m. The principal conditions of No. 5 at this time were: Total weight 11,200 grammes (24.6 pounds), including 800 grammes of fuel and water. Previous lift on the pendulum 54 per cent, with a steam pressure of 150 pounds. With this steam pressure the engine made about 600 R. P. M. when driving the 95 cm. propellers, which through their reduction gearing made about 500 R. P. M. [p103]