Evening star., 1901-05-06
STEERING A PARACHITE.
AerOnaut Says Balloons Are Less DAN
gerOus Than They Seem.

From the New York Sun.
1T may look like guesswork." said the
retired aeronaut, when a man cuts loose
his parachute and heads for the earth, but
if he is up in the business he can pick his
| own lighting place. \ parachute is not
| entirely at the mercy of the air currents,
| but can be guided easily.
BY the time the rider and his bag gets
within a hundred feet Of the earth they
are going rather slow, barring any wind
afloat. AS most ascensions are made In
cities or suburbs little guiding has to be
| done If you are coming down in the bust
ness section a man must try to pick out
some tall block or fiat-roofed structure.
and he must watch out for the electric
| wires. If In the residence section he must
avoid trees and ponds. How does he do it ?
Oh, it's simple Just lean your weight
against the side of the trapeze rope and
push. This will give a decided swing TO
the chute. and ii will move along through
the air as though propelled by pair OF
oars.
1T might seem that IL there was one
business that would compel a man to keep
clear head 1t is riding the bag. but just
as you hear Of oil-well shooters tossing
nitro -glycerine around or quarrymeu smok-
ing near a pile of powder kegs, SO para
chute jumping deadens the sense Of fear
and men will be found every now and then
who go up with comfortable jag under
their belt. 1t doesn't often happen, be-
cause the man is certain to get a good
scare or a ride in a hearse. The feeling
of helpleSSneSS that comes over fellow
shooting up at a terrific rate from the
earth, the seeming uncertainty of his
grasp. although in fact he is holding on
like grim death. combine to give dizziness
that is bad for the chap.
THE hardened rider in a normal condition
feels no sense of giddness at all You have
seen men on the horizontal bar whfrl
around and around and light on their feet
at the conclusion of their act without any
signs of dizziness. 1t is the same with
riding the bag. Giddiness never attacks a
man If he is right. If he isn't it's attack
is all the more terrifying. If he has sense
enough to reach the cutoff rope and yank
1t he will land all right. If he hesitates
long the chances are even for nasty fail
and maybe death.
Accidents that are accidents pure and
simple are very few. Once In a while the
big balloon after it has turned over and
let loose it's load of air may take it into
its head to chase the man and drop down
on him. 1t takes little quick maneuver-
ing to get out of the way, but a usual
thing after the bag is released it leaps rap
IDLY up and slowly turns over off to one
side. If the cutoff rope does not work
ana the chute clingS to the bag which
sometimes happens the man is down for a
good long ride in a chilly atmosphere. L
have gone away above the clouds more
than once because of failure of the valve
to work, but the lower temperature soon
cools off the hot air. the bag remains sta
tonary for q while and then begins a slow
drop. 1t is rather dangerous. but the APP
proach to earth prevents too rapid cooling
and permits a slow descent. A man needs
OILY to keep his head and he will come
out all right.
"A man never loses the feeling of in
tense eXhilaration that attends the rapid
rush through the air. 1t is comparable to
that or the person who shoots the chutes
or tackles roller coaster The swift rush
of air past the face, the sense of freedom
and the swaying motion combine to make
1t very interesting experience, and soon
deadens man to the danger. and keys
him up to the point where he does not feel
right If he doesn't get his daily ride