11. CHAPTER XI.
PLANE AND RUDDER CONTROL.
Having constructed and equipped your machine, the next thing is to decide upon the method of controlling the various rudders and auxiliary planes by which the direction and equilibrium and ascending and descending of the machine are governed.
The operator must be in position to shift instantaneously
How the Wrights Control Their Machine.
[Description: Black and white illustration: Diagram of rudder controls.]
Several Methods of Control.
Some aviators use a steering wheel somewhat after the style of that used in automobiles, and by this not only manipulate the rudder planes, but also the flow of gasolene. Others employ foot levers, and still others, like the Wrights, depend upon hand levers.
Curtiss steers his aeroplane by means of a wheel, but secures the desired stabilizing effect with an ingenious jointed chair-back. This is so arranged that by leaning toward the high point of his wing planes the aeroplane is restored to an even keel. The steering post of the wheel is movable backward and forward, and by this motion elevation is obtained.
The Wrights for some time used two hand levers, one to steer by and warp the flexible tips of the planes, the other to secure elevation. They have now consolidated all the functions in one lever. Bleriot also uses the single lever control.
Farman employs a lever to actuate the rudders, but manipulates the balancing planes by foot levers.
Santos-Dumont uses two hand levers with which to steer and elevate, but manipulates the planes by means of an attachment to the back of his outer coat. (See illustration, page 111).
Connection With the Levers.
No matter which particular method is employed, the connection between the levers and the object to be manipulated is almost invariably by wire. For instance, from the steering levers (or lever) two wires connect with opposite sides of the rudder. As a lever is moved so as to draw in the right-hand wire the rudder is drawn to the
Simple as this seems it calls for a cool head, quick
Device on Back of Santos-Dumont's Shirt.
[Description: Black and white illustration: Man with back turned; device
attached to back of shirt.]
Wires run from this in both directions so the auxiliary planes may be
manipulated by a mere movement of the body to the right or left.
Which Method is Best?
It would be a bold man who would attempt to pick out any one of these methods of control and say it was better than the others. As in other sections of aeroplane mechanism each method has its advocates who dwell learnedly upon its advantages, but the fact remains that all the various plans work well and give satisfaction.
Auxiliary Controlling Parts and Their Construction.
A—Horizontal rudder of Curtiss machine; B—balancing tail and rudders
of Farman; C—elevating plane and vertical rudder on Antoinette;
D—tail of Santos-Dumont monoplane; F—warping wings on Curtiss
biplane.
[Description: Black and white illustration: Various controlling devices.]
System of Control on Farman Machine.
[Description: Black and white illustration: Control device.]Some Things to Be Learned.
He will soon learn that certain movements of the steering gear produce certain effects on the rudders. If, for instance, his machine is equipped with a steering wheel, he will find that turning the wheel to the right turns the aeroplane in the same direction, because the
The time expended in these preliminary lessons will be well spent. It would be an act of folly to attempt to actually sail the craft without them.