he affair in the big newspapers for the past several months, and a thrilling hush fell over the assemblage as, at high noon, one after another of the famous flyers took off in various types

s these, seven heavier-than-air machines started, all making for Newfoundland also. Four of

etail of the departure. Several of the contestants John Ross knew, having met them at some time during his flying periods, and it gave him a chance briefly to renew old acquaintanceship and person

ollowing which Bob drove Paul and John out to some of the city's beautiful parks. Late in the afternoon they again stopped at the newspaper b

ished, John," remarked Mr. Giddings, as they sped northward along the smooth surface of Ri

agreed upon were desirable. You know it never pays to start building an important and costly affair like an airplane without having every detail thoroughly planned out, and perfect working drawings in hand. I think Paul will complet

eat interest. I suppose as soon as I approve these dra

heel in front, having caught some of the conversation, c

rs and purchased a good Yale lock for them. John and I have taken our workbench and tools over there, and Bob has helped us rig up a nice little five-horse power motor and small handsaw, also a circular saw, home-made sand-drum, a small planer, and a boring-machine.

hese arrangements. As he noted the foresightedness of

. If my trust in you is misplaced, I am willing to stand the consequences. This is not only the best ki

sleep, a la Edison; and as it was now summer vacation time, Paul and Bob were able to be with John all day long in the old exhibition building. Neighboring boys and even older

and hied themselves over to the Giddings home. In Paul's hand was an envelope containing the precious plans for th

on written upon his strong features. Now and then he would ask a question, as Paul explained view after view and detail after detail.

are on the market. A stabilizer should automatically keep an airplane on a fairly level keel no matter how air conditions are, even so steady that it will

r. Giddings. "I should think that would al

ns out as we expec

s," was the request. "Remember,

wings of the machine, which have to be worked to tip or 'bank' it when making a turn or to keep it on an even keel when a gust of wind strikes it. The 'rudder' is the vertical plane at the tail of the machine, and is used for steering sideways, while the 'elevators' are the two horizontal mo

s a curve he does not have to bank his machine owing to his comparatively slow speed; but the aviator, traveling much faster through the air, must do this, bringing

n his way, or a church steeple when he is flying low; but his greatest dangers are in the clear air itself, where they cannot be detected. He may suddenly drop into a 'hole,' which is really a downward current of ai

imes lose all contro

r friend of mine took a nasty tumble that way near Cleveland l

ely by intuition and the sense of feeling, although the veteran airman, John says, can

d there will be one straight over every protuberance or depression of size in the surface of the earth. Mountains, hills, houses, lakes, valleys, rivers, forests, all cause bumps or h

this way over such configurat

he admitted. "I haven't had the opportunity to study ae

les through and is of an even thickness. As our globe sweeps through it, the lower stratum of air naturally sinks down into the valleys and like depr

Bob. "Now, dad, let Paul go on ex

an even keel. Sometimes pilots have come out of a low cloud to find themselves dangerously close to the earth and in an awkward position, perhaps in a steep bank, a side-slip, or even in the terrifying nose-div

s that the machine banks at just the right angle on the turns. This makes the operation of an airplane containing the stabilizer even more simple than running a motor-car, because you do not have to worry

ted Mr. Giddings. "I tho

wn in detail. The other stabilizer runs lengthwise of the cockpit and takes care of the elevator. Both of these are operated by compressed air, which proceeds from a little tank, right here. The tank is kept sup

ntact points. As one becomes submerged in the mercury by a tilting of the plane, a connection is made whereby two electro-magnets are energized on that side. One of these magnets closes an exhaust-valve, and the other opens an inlet-valve, in the compressed air tank. At once air is forced into this doub

the ailerons can be brought back automatically to a neutral posit

there is what we call a 'venturi tube.' This is a kind of suction device operated by the wind. The wind which blows through the left venturi tube sucks the air out of the right-hand side of the mercury tube, and the right venturi tube sucks the air out of the left-hand side of the mercury tube. The stronger the wind, the greater the suction. Now, when making a

hen desired? I should think such a feature

itself all the time, no more than an automobilist. That would spoil all the sport. By merely disengaging the aut

eigh?" was the gent

ss than a hu

to handicap a

bit," s