Bill laughed. “That isn’t the half of it, boy. I’m telling you this much just so you can guide the ship while I put on my parachute. But here’s some more dope. These wheels are attached by wire cables to the ailerons, those hinged surfaces at the end of each wing. Their function, as they say in the Air Service, is primarily to impress a rolling movement to the airplane; just as the elevators are to impress a pitching movement. You see, in flying a plane, one not only has to steer it and balance it for the roll to either side like riding a bicycle,—the plane has to be balanced for the pitch fore and aft as well.”
Osceola nodded his understanding. “I get you. Balance for the roll sideways by turning this wheel in the opposite direction from which she’s tipping.”
“Right-o!”
“To raise the nose, I pull back the wheel; to lower it, I push it forward.”
“Go to the top of the class,” grinned his friend. “You’re letter perfect, at least.”
“Good enough. But those gauges on the instrument board?”
“You can keep half an eye on the inclinometer and fore-and-aft level if you want to; but I always think it is better to learn by the feel of the plane.”
“I’ll do my best,” asserted Osceola, intent now on what was before him.
“Good fella! Some day I’ll start giving you real flight instruction. This is just a makeshift. Oh, I forgot—this plane is a bit noseheavy. Don’t let it worry you. Keep pulling back on your wheel as she dips. All ready to take over?”
“—Ready’s brother!”