At the present stage of the development of the different means of aerial flight, we find that there is a greater use of land aircraft than of seaplanes. The most important reason for this arises from the widespread opinion that a larger output of useful transportable weight may be obtained with aeroplanes than with seaplanes. Another reason is that commercial air lines are nearly always run on land, and consequently can better be operated by means of aeroplanes.

This is the first occasion on which I am able to make public the results of one of the pieces of research work on which I have been engaged during the past three years; it therefore seems to be an opportune moment for placing on record, side by side with the results, the forms of assistance to me which enabled those results to be obtained. I am anxious to do this as I have been ploughing a lonely furrow, and I would like to see the kind of help which I have received widely extended, so that the vast field of research may soon be scored by a number of single furrows; if the powers that be are far-sighted enough to give this help, I believe that from these furrows will spring a harvest of no small value, even when compared with the products of the great Government and trade efforts.