Octave Chanute to Wilbur Wright

Chicago, August 19, 1901

While very busy with my own affairs I am yet thinking of your experiments and hoping they are progressing to your entire satisfaction.

It has occurred to me that you would get still flatter glides by making sure that the center of gravity coincides exactly with the center of pressure, and possibly by decreasing the angle of your rudder to 4°. I have found it efficient at 3° when behind, and it should be still more efficient in front.

Please take plenty of snapshots. You will want them to illustrate whatever you write. Also, do not fail to test the efficacy on the stability of cutting holes in the apex.

Wilbur's response, August 22, 1901