While the length of time that the aerodrome had been sustained in the air was so short that no actual flight had really been achieved, yet the results encouraged the belief that with the aerodrome more accurately balanced, it could reasonably be hoped that a somewhat longer flight would be obtained. It was, however, very evident that, although the correct balancing which would insure equilibrium for a few minutes might soon be attained, the machine, lacking a human intelligence to control it, must be provided with some mechanism which would tend to restore the equilibrium, the conditions of which must necessarily change in a machine depending on the air for its support. In order to see what could be done in this direction, it was, therefore, decided to return immediately to Washington with the machines and make some minor changes in them before attempting further flights. By the end of May, Nos. 4 and 5 were again in readiness for a trial, and the mechanics were accordingly sent to Quantico to complete preparations for the tests. During May Mr. A. M. Herring, who had been experimenting with model machines for several years, was engaged for a few months as an assistant, and he was immediately put in charge of the field trials of Nos. 4 and 5, which were now about to be made. On June 6 Mr. Langley, accompanied by Mr. Herring, went to Quantico, and on June 7, at 5 a. m., Aerodrome No. 5 was ready for trial, but the wind was so high that nothing could be done. The wind later diminished in intensity, but the house-boat had become stuck on the beach [p105] and it was impossible to make the launching apparatus point directly into the wind, which was blowing from the rear of the boat. An attempt was made to launch the aerodrome even with the wind blowing at its rear, but it was found impossible to make the fires burn and the test was accordingly postponed. Later in the afternoon the house-boat was floated and the preparations for a test were immediately completed. At 5.42 p. m. the fires were lighted, but the burners did not work properly and the proper steam pressure could not be obtained. At 6.20 p. m. the fires were again lighted, and at 6.22 the aerodrome was launched, its midrod having an upward angle of 25 degrees, or more, with the launching track. The aerodrome moved off nearly horizontally, but seemed to be very sluggish in its movement and fell in the water about seventy feet from the boat, after having been in the air only 4.8 seconds. The damage consisted of a broken propeller and a slight strain in the main frame, the extent of which, however, was not immediately seen.