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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.]

What the novice is interested in knowing is how the control is effected, and whether he has become proficient enough in his manipulation of it to be absolutely dependable in time of emergency. No amateur should attempt a flight alone, until he has thoroughly mastered the steering and plane control. If the services and advice

System of Control on Farman Machine.

[Description: Black and white illustration: Control device.]

of an experienced aviator are not to be had the novice should mount his machine on some suitable supports so it will be well clear of the ground, and, getting into the operator's seat, proceed to make himself well acquainted with the operation of the steering wheel and levers.