The First Man-Carrying Aeroplane Capable of Sustained Free Flight: Langley's Success as a Pioneer in Aviation: From the Smithsonian Report for 1914, pages 217-222, Publication 2329, 1915Zahm, Albert Francis
History
The First Man-Carrying Aeroplane Capable of Sustained Free Flight: Langley's Success as a Pioneer in Aviation: From the Smithsonian Report for 1914, pages 217-222, Publication 2329, 1915
Zahm, Albert Francis
Airplanes; Langley, S. P. (Samuel Pierpont), 1834-1906
If the experiments be continued under more painstaking technical
direction, longer flights can easily be accomplished. Mr. Manly, who
designed the Langley engine and screws and who directed the
construction and tests of the large aeroplane up to December 8, 1903,
reports that he obtained from the propulsion plant a static thrust of
450 pounds, and that he once ran the engine under full load for 10 hours
consecutively. This thrust is nearly 100 pounds more than that commonly
obtained at Hammondsport with the same plant, and 20 pounds more than
the static thrust obtained with the Curtiss motor on the day when it
flew the aeroplane with 1,520 pounds aggregate weight. Hence, by
restoring the engine and propellers to their original normal working
condition they should be able to drive the aeroplane in successful
flight with an aggregate weight of nearly 1,600 pounds, even when
hampered with the floats and their sustaining truss work. With a thrust
of 450 pounds, the Langley aeroplane, without floats, restored to its
original condition and provided with stronger bearings, should be able
to carry a man and sufficient supplies for a voyage lasting practically
the whole day.
Dr. Langley's aerotechnic work may be briefly summarized as follows:
1. His aerodynamic experiments, some published and some as yet
unpublished, were complete enough to form a basis for practical pioneer
aviation.
2. He built and launched, in 1896, the first steam model aeroplane
capable of prolonged free flight, and possessing good inherent
stability.
3. He built the first internal-combustion motor suitable for a practical
man-carrying aeroplane.
4. He developed and successfully launched the first gasoline model
aeroplane capable of sustained free flight.
5. He developed and built the first man-carrying aeroplane capable of
sustained free flight.
[Illustration]
* * * * * *
Transcriber's note:
This e-text follows the text of the original publication. Some minor
punctuation inconsistencies have been regularised.
Small-capitals in the original publication have been changed to
CAPITALS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account