The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1911-09-28
ENGLISH AVIATOR,
DESCRIBING FLYING
He Tells What He Does While
In the Air and Why
He Does II.

are fixed at the rear edges of the
main planes and work up and down
on hinges. Their object is to correct
any loss of lateral stability upon the
machine; or, to put it more simply.
they counteract any sideway falling
movement when in flight. How they
act may thus be described: When the
aeroplane is struck down by a gust
OF wind and tits over on one side the
pilot draws down the 'ailerons' on the
SIDE OF the machine which is depress-
ed. The wind, acting upon the saile-
rons,' pushes the machine back again
upon an even keel.
Question of Flying.
| NOW comes the question of flying
such machine. The pilot takes his
seat on the front edge of the lower
main plane exactly in it's center. To
his left hand are the switches which
control the engine To his right hand
is lever He places his feet against
rod which moves to and fro upon
central hinge. Mechanics start the en-
| CINE by swinging round the big pro-
peller. Then when the motor has
started he accelerates it by moving a
switch until it is turning the propeller
as its maximum speed.
Until he is quite ready to start his
mechanics hold back the aeroplane by
gripping the tail booms. After listen
ing for moment to the engine and
I making certain that it is running we'll
the airman holds up his hand. This is
a signal to the mechanics to release
their hold upon the machine. When
they do this the aeroplane starts off
across the ground, running upon the
| wheels.
"The pilot allows it to gather speed
for few seconds; then he draws back
toward him the lever which he is hold
ing in his right hand. This has the ef-
feet Of fitting upward a little the ele-
waiting plane which is set out in front
OF the machine. The effect Of this is
to raise upward the whole machine.
The rush Of air under the main planes
lntensifies their lift, and the wheels
OF the machine leave the ground, and
1t begins to soar upward. The pilot
still holds the elevating plane at a
slight upward angle until the aeroplane
has climbed sufficiently high. Then
he brings it gently back to a level DO
sition again, and the machine flies
straight ahead.
when gusts Of wind assail the ma
chine and it tits to one side or the
other he corrects this by sideway move
ments of the same lever which con-
trolls the elevating plane
Making Turn In the Air.
when the time comes to make q
turn in the air the pilot moves the rod
against which his feet are resting and
swings the rudder over either to the
right or left. In this way the machine
is flown. When descent is necessary
the air man points his machine earth
ward by fitting downward the elevat-
ing plane. Then as the machine comes
gliding toward the ground he usually
stops his engine and makes what is
known as a 'volplane.' In this case
the machine glides downward with it's
own momentum. Just before he touch
es the earth the pilot draws back his
elevating plane little and brings the
aeroplane upon an even keel so that
it's wheels touch quite lightly.
"This description may perhaps make
flying appear very easy. So it is, as
NOT oF IT. 4l~
conditions are favorable Many men
learn to pilot an aeroplane after only
two or three short lessons. In some
cases, indeed, it has been found easier
to fly an aeroplane than to learn to
drive q motorcar.
':But very great deal Of skill is re-
quired to pilot machine when the
wind is gusty. Then the aero swings
and rolls about in the air, sometimes
in a very alarming way. Incessant
watchfulness is necessary to- keep it
upon an even keel. and none but eI-
perienced fiers care to ascend unless
the weather conditions are good.
Another contingency which calls
for skill is when the engine sometimes
stops accidentally in the air
"Perhaps when his motor fails him
the pilot is flying swiftly across coun-
try. In such a case he has to descend
in 'volplane' and pick out suitable
landing spot as he comes gliding down
to earth. To keep ones head at such
moment and make safe descent
means the exercise of a great deal Of
skill. and this ONLY comes bv expert