TEDDY TEDESCO squatted on the bench beside the hangar and watched the student mechanics roll out the Piper Cub training plane. His chin was in his hands, and he tried to look as unconcerned about the whole thing as he possibly could be, but his heart was beating wildly, until he thought it would burst right out through his ribs.
Ever since he decided to take the flying course the college offered he regretted it. From the ground looking up, it was swell, but the thought of having to climb into that cockpit alone and take off … leaving nothing but thin air between you and the good earth … wasn’t such a hot idea. Of course, the gang looked pretty good, all decked out in white coveralls with the red lettering emblazoned across the back, and the sporty pair of wings to be worn looked even better, so Teddy made up his mind, to go ahead, come what may.
The civilian instructor waved them all to the edge of the field and Teddy, along with a dozen others, gathered around the plane.
Mike Collins looked them over. “Well, fellows, today is the big day for some of you. We’ll draw straws to see who solos first. About half will take it today, and the rest tomorrow, weather permitting. Now take a straw from my hand and hold it up.”
Right then Ted wished he was a thousand miles from there, right back in New York instead of the middle of Kansas.
Everyone took a straw. Ted’s hand shook a little as he plucked one, and he hesitated to look at it. Bill Semple next to him saw it first and patted him on the back.
“Gee,” he said, “short straw … you go up tomorrow. What tough luck!”
Happier words had never been spoken. Teddy popped open his eyes and waved the straw. He felt like shouting a rousing cheer. A one-day reprieve … but it was something, anyway. The way the rest of the gang looked at those who picked the short straws was like a man pitying a starving dog.
So came the final test. One by one, they climbed into the Piper, took off and went into a climbing turn. The plane circled the field twice in figure eights then settled slowly to earth. The embryo fliers stood about and went through every motion just as though they were in the plane, and when it came down, those on the ground were as breathless as the person who actually did the flying!
Everything was going smoothly, until Perkins came in for a landing … A sudden gust of wind caught the plane and it skidded to one side. Quickly, he blasted the motor on full and hauled back on the stick. The plane shot up again,, but it was a nerve-wracking experience nevertheless, and the way he over-controlled the ship showed nervousness.
Ted had his fingers crossed. He knew that if he saw a crash now, he’d never have the nerve to crawl into a plane again! But the fates took good care of that. Perkins lined up for another approach and slid in. He fishtailed lightly, was coming down reasonably well when it happened. The wheels hit, bumped, and the little ship bounced. It came down weaving. Perkins tried desperately to get it straightened out, but it was no use. The ship nosed over into the dirt, throwing up a cloud of dust!
Ted almost passed out. He shook his head, and almost before he realized it, was tearing for the closed-up plane. He got there ahead of the rest, and in time to see Perkins climb out. The fellow looked at the plane anxiously. “Heck, that would have to happen!”
Mike ran up then. “Don’t worry about it. Prop’s cracked, but we have a spare. Want to try again?”
“DO I! sure thing! When can I have another go at it?”
“Tomorrow. The ship can be patched up tonight. O.K., I guess that’s all for now. Go on home and get some sleep!” Teddy was amazed. Here was a guy that almost broke his fool neck coming down, and now he wanted to try it again … and he wasn’t even shaking! He walked back to his car and climbed in. The near crack-up had him so shaky, his hands trembled on the wheel. Tomorrow would come much too soon for him.
The day dawned fairly clear, with occasional patches of woolly clouds gathering in the west. A good flying day. Teddy went through his classes like a sleepwalker. The events of the day before were still vivid in his mind. He could see himself coming in, over-controlling, then the terrific impact of the crash. He could hear the splintering of framework and the tearing of the fabric as if it were actually happening.
At noontime he couldn’t eat a thing. Afternoon classes whipped through, and at three o’clock he found himself climbing into his white jumpers before going out to the field. Ted’s hands shook like a leaf in a high wind. He wondered why he didn’t fall apart from the vibration. If it wasn’t for a sense of pride and the vague prospect of the shiny wings, he’d never go out to the field at all!
ONCE again Mike had the gang lined up. Perkins was to have the first crack at soloing today. The kid hopped in, full of confidence, gave her the gun, and off he went. And to top it off, he came down without a hitch. Everyone swarmed around the guy congratulating him. Ted groaned. The next fellow got in and the same thing happened. At this rate, the field was narrowing down fast. Luckily everybody wanted to be first, so Ted had no difficulty remaining in the background.
By this time a wind was starting to blow. These Kansas winds were peculiar that way. Come up in a minute and before you know it tear up half the state. On the horizon a big brown cloud of dust twisted along. No one noticed it yet except Ted. He was trying to keep his mind off his solo when he realized that the tumbleweed was racing along the ground. Not an unusual thing, this, but enough to throw off one’s calculations when landing. Even now the trainer lurched slightly.
One more person to go … then it was his turn. By now, Ted was feeling just a little sick. The wind was stronger now. Mike looked a bit anxiously at the dust blowing around, but evidently thought that it wasn’t strong enough yet to be bothered about. The student made his turns and landed gracefully in the teeth of quite a wind. How the plane got in was a mystery to Ted.
Then … WOOSH! The wind turned into a small-sized hurricane! Dust tore at everyone’s faces. When the blow came, he heaved a sigh of relief … at least he’d have another day’s reprieve! Students ran for the protection of the hangar, while the ship teetered dangerously. For some reason, Ted stayed on with Mike.
They grabbed the wings to steady the ship, and Mike yelled against the roar of the wind, “Hop in and start the motor. Keep ’er in the wind. I’ll get ropes and we’ll tie ’er down!”
Ted nodded. He jumped into the closed cockpit and pushed the starter button. The motor roared into life. Ted let it idle while Mike dashed to the hangar for rope. The wind blew more fiercely, and Ted touched the controls. At once the plane responded as if it were in the air. Then … a huge gust of wind hit the plane head on … and the ship zoomed up and the wheels left the ground!
QUICKLY, Ted gave it the gun. His face was white, but fortunately, he had some presence of mind. What happened was beyond him. Just a gust of wind and the light plane took off. Now, whether he wanted to or not, he was on his own ‘upstairs’! Pulling on the stick, Ted sent the plane up. At three thousand he leveled off. There, below him, was the rolling cloud of dust, but up here the air was clear and cool. Ted actually started to enjoy himself!
But then he noticed the gas gauge. It registered empty! He flipped on the emergency tank, but that was only good for twenty minutes flying. What should he do? His brain reeled! Suddenly the dust beneath parted and he caught a glimpse of the field. Quickly, he turned so as to be over it. He had to come down now or later, and if he waited, the wind was liable to grow even stronger! His heart beat furiously, his breath came in uneven gasps.
With his eyes glued to the altimeter, Ted faced the wind, judging his speed and distance to bring him over the spot where he last saw the field. When he looked at his air speed indicator it was only five miles an hour … the wind was making the plane almost stand still! Jockeying the plane, Ted nosed her down. It was the most delicate operation he ever attempted. He was so concerned with it that he forgot that he was supposed to be scared!
THE dust grew thicker, so Ted knew he was about two scant feet off the ground. The brown curtain parted again for an instant … he was directly behind the hangar! Quickly, he hauled on the stick. The wind shot him up … and he went over the obstacle. He saw the wind sock pass beneath his under carriage, and he let out his breath. That was too close for comfort!
Again he brought her in. Slowly … slowly, he made his approach, gauging every inch of his distance. The wind was an enemy that must be beaten! Dust swirled about the plexiglass windshield in front of him, his vision was zero! Then, for one brief second, the cloud of dirt thinned. The approach was perfect! Teddy lowered her a foot at a time … and suddenly felt solid earth under the wheels!
Out came the gang. They rushed the plane and grabbed the wings, Ted cut the power and got out, and together they worked the ship into the hangar. Everyone cheered his daring exploit, and slapped him on the back. Now that it was all over, he knew that he’d never be afraid again.
Mike let out a laugh. “I still can’t see how you did it!” he said.
TEDDY grinned back. “Oh, it wasn’t me. The wind did it all — it took me up, then set me down as nice as you please, but … if anybody happened to hear a loud knocking noise up there …it wasn’t the motor, it was my knees!
***