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The bubble sextant and complete navigating outfit should be carried for use in case of necessity.  The bubble sextant is so difficult to manipulate accurately in the air that if practicable it is preferable to come down near the water and disregard the bubble feature, using the sea horizon.

The bow flares for use in case of landing at night did not have to be used, although they were always kept in readiness for use.  This feature should be developed.  On the NC Seaplanes they were badly placed as they become soaked in getting off if the water is at all rough, and in working with boats or securing to buoy, one or both generally gets bent or broken.  A considerable quantity of pyrotechnics should be carried for signalling purposes in case of forced landing at night.  The Aldis signal lamp was not used for signalling purposes, as the radio was always in commission.  It was valuable, however, for inspection of power plant at night.

The relative positions of Commanding officer and pilots are satisfactory.  The radio officers should be stationed by the Commanding officer.  This is of great importance until reliable communication is obtained.  A telautograph would be ideal if it could be made to work reliably.

It would be desirable also to have the engineers near the pilots so that one complete set of instruments would be sufficient, and in sight of both.  In the present division of instruments the engineer cannot keep himself fully informed of functioning of power plant.  All parts of the power plant should be accessible while plane is in the air.

The recommendations in attached reports are approved and the following are considered of special importance: Rearrange tank to provide center aisle; Make carburetors accessible for quick overhauling, cleaning hets, &c.; accurate gauge at C.G. of each gas tank; separate oil system for each center engine.

As a general proposition, I believe that transatlantic seaplane flying is impracticable at present for ordinary purposes, and will be until a much larger type is evolved and the radio compass is improved for working at long distance.  If a type of seaplane is built capable of flight from New York to Great Britain with one stop en route, it would be preferable to make that stop at the Azores instead of Newfoundland.  Several fuel stations would have to be established at the Azores in order to make one of them accessible in any kind of weather.

^[[/&/ [[signed]] A.C. Read. [[/signed]] ]]