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when moved a certain way will move a plane a
definite direction。 He should learn to know
instinctively； how FAR a movement to make to get
a certain result in the plane itself； and under running
conditions； as well。
Suppose we have an automobile； running at the
rate of ten miles an hour； and the chauffeur turns
the steering wheel ten degrees。 He can do so with
perfect safety； but let the machine be going forty
miles an hour； and turn the wheel ten degrees；
and it may mean an accident。 In one case the
machine is moving 14 1/2 feet a second； and in the
other instance 58 feet。
If the airship has a lever for controlling the
angle of flight； he must study its arrangement；
and note how far it must be moved to assume
the proper elevating angle。 Then come the means
for controlling the lateral stability of the machine。
All these features should be considered and studied
over and over； until you have made them your
friends。
While thus engaged； you are perfectly sure that
you can remember and act on a set of complicated
movements。 You imagine that you are skimming
over the ground； and your sense tells you that you
have sufficient speed to effect a launching。 In
your mind the critical time has come。
ELEVATING THE MACHINE。Simply give the elevator
lever the proper angle； sharp and quick and
up you go。 As the machine responds； and you can
feel the cushioning motion； which follows； as it begins
to ride the air； you are aware of a sensation
as though the machine were about to turn over
to one side； you think of the lateral control at
once； but in doing so forget that the elevator must
be changed； or you will go too high。
You forget about the earth； you are too busy
thinking about several things which seem to need
your attention。 Yes； there are a variety of matters
which will crowd upon you； each of which require
two things； the first being to get the proper
lever； and the second； to move it just so far。
In the early days of aeroplaning； when accidents
came thick and fast； the most usual explanation
which came from the pilot； when he recovered；
was： 〃I pushed the lever too far。〃
Hundreds of trial machines were built； when
man learned that he could fly； and in every instance；
it is safe to say； the experimenter made the
most strenuous exertion to get up in the air the
first time the machine was put on the trial ground。
It is a wonder that accidents were not recorded
by the hundreds； instead of by the comparatively
few that were heard from。 It was very discouraging；
no doubt； that the machines would not fly；
but that all of them； if they had sufficient power；
would fly； there can be no doubt。
HOW TO PRACTICE。Absolute familiarity with
every part of the machine and conditions is the
first thing。 The machine is brought out； and the
engine tested； the machine being held in leash
while this is done。 It is then throttled down so
that the power of the engine will be less than is
necessary to raise the machine from the ground。
THE FIRST STAGE。Usually it will require over
25 miles an hour to raise the machine。 The engine
is set in motion； and now； for the first time a new
sensation takes possession of you； for the reason
that you are cut off from communication with
those around you as absolutely as though they
were a hundred miles away。
This new dependence on yourself is； in itself；
one of the best teachers you could have； because
it begins to instill confidence and control。 As the
machine darts forward； going ten or fifteen miles
an hour； with the din of the engine behind you；
and feeling the rumbling motion of the wheels
over the uneven surface of the earth； you have the
sensation of going forty miles an hour。
The newness of the first sensation； which is
always under those conditions very much augmented
in the mind； wears away as the machine
goes back and forth。 There is only one control
that requires your care； namely； to keep it on a
straight course。 This is easy work； but you are
learning to make your control a reflex action；to
do it without exercising a distinct will power。
PATIENCE THE MOST DIFFICULT THING。If you
have the patience； as you should； to continue this
running practice； until you absolutely eliminate
the right and left control； as a matter of thought；
occasionally； if the air is still turning the machine；
and eventually； bringing it back； by turning
it completely around； while skimming the ground；
you will be ready for the second stage in the
trials。
THE SECOND STAGE。The engine is now arranged
so that it will barely lift； when running
at its best。 After the engine is at full speed； and
you are sure the machine is going fast enough；
the elevator control is turned to point the machine
in the air。 It is a tense moment。 You are on the
alert。
The elevator is turned； and the forward end
changes its relation with the ground before you。
There was a slight lift； but your caution induces
you to return the planes to their normal running
angle。 You try it again。 You are now certain
that the machine made a leap and left the ground。
This is the exhilarating moment。
With a calm air the machine is turned while
running； by means of the vertical rudders。 This
is an easy matter； because while going at twenty
miles an hour； the weight of the machine on the
surface of the ground is less than one…tenth of its
weight when at rest。
Thus the trial spins； half the time in the air；
in little glides of fifty to a hundred feet； increasing
in length； give practice； practice； PRACTICE；
each turn of the field making the sport less exciting
and fixing the controls more perfectly in the
mind。
THE THIRD STAGE。Thus far you have been
turning on the ground。 You want to turn in the
air。 Only the tail control was required while on
the ground。 Now two things are required after
you leave the ground in trying to make a turn：
namely； putting the tail at the proper angle； and
taking charge of the stabilizers； because in making
the turn in the air； the first thing which will
arrest the attention will be the tendency of the
machine to turn over in the direction that you are
turning。
After going back and forth in straight…away
glides； until you have perfect confidence and full
control； comes the period when the turns should
be practiced on。 These should be long； and tried
only on that portion of the field where you have
plenty of room。
OBSERVATIONS WHILE IN FLIGHT。If there are
any bad spots； or trees； or dangerous places； they
should be spotted out； and mentally noted before
attempting to make any flight。 When in the air
during these trials you will have enough to occupy
your mind without looking out for the hazardous
regions at the same time。
Make the first turns in a still air。 If you should
attempt to make the first attempts with a wind
blowing you will find a compou