Diagram showing differing lines of flight as controlled by changing the position of the body. The wind must be blowing against the direction of flight; in the illustration this would be from left to right.
The position of the body on the arm rests can best be learned by a few experiments. No two gliders are quite alike in this respect, and no rule can be given. As to the requisite speed, it must be between 15 and 20 miles an hour; and as this speed is impossible to a man running, it is gained by gliding against the wind, and thus adding the speed of the wind to the speed of the runner. The Wrights selected the sand dunes of the North Carolina coast for their glider experiments because of the steady winds that blow in from the ocean, across the land. These winds gave them the necessary speed of air upon which to sail their gliders.
The first flights attempted should be short, and as experience is gained longer ones may be essayed.
Balancing the glider from side to side is accomplished by swaying the lower part of the body like a pendulum, the weight to go toward the side which has risen. Swinging the body forward on the arm rests will cause the machine to dip the planes and glide more swiftly down the incline. Holding the weight of the body back in the arm rests will cause the machine to fly on a higher path and at a slower speed. This is objectionable because the glider is more manageable at a higher speed, and therefore safer. The tendency at first is to place the weight too far back, with a consequent loss of velocity, and with that a proportionate loss of control. The proper position of the body is slightly forward of the mechanical centre of the machine.
The landing is accomplished by shoving the body backward, thus tilting up the front of the plane. This checks the speed, and when the feet touch the ground a little run, while holding back, will bring the glide to an end. Landing should be practised often with brief glides until skill is gained, for it is the most difficult operation in gliding.
After one becomes expert, longer flights may be secured by going to higher points for the start. From an elevation of 300 feet a glide of 1,200 feet is possible.
Gliding with a Chanute three-decker. A start with two assistants.
While it is necessary to make glides against the wind, it is not wise to attempt flights when the wind blows harder than 10 miles an hour. While the flight may be successful, the landing may be disastrous.
The accomplished glider operator is in line for the aeroplane, and it is safe to say that he will not be long without one. The skilful and practised operator of a glider makes the very best aeroplane pilot.