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165
The Aeroplane Speaks. Fifth Edition
·
H. Barber
41
Down,
down,
down,
and
the
air
grows
denser,
and
the
Pilot
gulps
largely,
filling
his
lungs
with
the
heavier
air
to
counteract
the
increasing
pressure
from
without.
Down
through
a
gap
in
the
clouds,
and
the
Aerodrome
springs
into
view,
appearing
no
larger
than
a
saucer,
and
the
Pilot,
having
by
now
got
the
"feel"
of
the
Controls,
proceeds
to
put
the
Aeroplane
through
its
paces.
First
at
its
Maximum
Angle,
staggering
along
tail-down
and
just
maintaining
horizontal
flight;
then
a
dive
at
far
over
flying
speed,
finishing
with
a
perfect
loop;
then
sharp
turns
with
attendant
vertical
"banks,"
and
then
a
wonderful
switchback
flight,
speeding
down
at
a
hundred
and
fifty
miles
an
hour
with
short,
exhilarating
ascents
at
the
rate
of
two
thousand
feet
a
minute!
All
the
parts
are
now
working
well
together.
Such
wires
as
were
before
in
undue
tension
have
secured
relief
by
slightly
elongating
their
loops,
and
each
one
is
now
doing
its
bit,
and
all
are
sharing
the
burden
of
work
together.
The
Struts
and
the
Spars,
which
felt
so
awkward
at
first,
have
bedded
themselves
in
their
sockets,
and
are
taking
the
compression
stresses
uncomplainingly.
The
Control
Cables
of
twisted
wire,
a
bit
tight
before,
have
slightly
lengthened
by
perhaps
the
eighth
of
an
inch,
and,
the
Controls
instantly
responding
to
the
delicate
touch
of
the
Pilot,
the
Aeroplane,
at
the
will
of
its
Master,
darts
this
way
and
that
way,
dives,
loops,
spirals,
and
at
last,
in
one
long,
magnificent
glide,
lands
gently
in
front
of
its
shed.
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