Heads it was and William was the first to go up for instructions. “Very well,” announced the major, “let’s go.”
The whole group followed the major and William to one of the hangars. Two mechanics pushed the training plane into the open. Again the major turned to the group and said, “This is an Avro, one of the finest training machines in the world. She is light on the controls, very easy to handle and has an 80 h.p. Le Rhone engine. What kind of an engine is it, anybody know?”
William answered at once, with confidence, “A rotary engine.”
“Fine,” said the major. “And what kind of engine is a rotary engine?”
All the boys seemed to know that and the major was pleased by their knowledge. However, he called upon William to answer the question. “A rotary engine is one which has the cylinders rotate round the crankshaft which remains stationary,” answered William correctly.
“And what is another type of engine?”
“A stationary engine.”
“The crankshaft rotates round the cylinders.”
“Correct,” announced the major with a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. “I can see,” he added, “that I’m going to enjoy teaching you boys. All right William, put this hat on and get the ear pieces in the right position; I’ll be talking to you all the time. And before we start, remember this, if I hit you on the back take your hands and feet off the controls immediately and put your hands above your head which will show me that you have obeyed my signal. Okey?”
Wallace remarked, humorously, “Don’t hit him too hard, major. I’d hate to take home a corpse.”