The whole matter of flight involves both sportsman's and engineers problems. Wind gusts produce the same effects as "turning corners"; or worse--rapidly changing the whole balance of the machines and requiring immediate action at two or three points of control. Both ascent and descent are influenced by complicated laws and are scarcely rendered safe--under present conditions--by the most ample experience. A lateral air current bewilders the steering and also demands special promptness and skill. To avoid disturbing surface winds, even over open country, a minimum flying height of 300 feet is considered necessary. This height, furthermore, gives more choice in the matter of landing ground than a lower elevation. When complete and automatic balance shall have been attained--as it must be attained--we may expect to see small amateur aeroplanes flying along country roads at low elevations--perhaps with a guiding wheel actually in contact with the ground. They will cost far less than even a small automobile, and the expense for upkeep will be infinitely less. The grasshopper will have become a water-spider. SOME AEROPLANES--SOME ACCOMPLISHMENTS [Illustration: ORVILLE WRIGHT AT FORT MYER, VA., 1908] [Illustration: THE FIRST BALLOON FLIGHT ACROSS THE BRITISH CHANNEL More than a century before Blériot's feat, Blanchard crossed from Dover to Calais] The Wright biplane has already been shown (see pages 31, 37, 121, 122). It was distinguished by the absence of a wheel frame or car and by the wing-warping method of stabilizing. Later Wright machines have the spring frame and wheels for self-starting. The best known aeroplane of this design was built to meet specifications of the United States Signal Corps issued in 1907. It was tried out during 1908 at Fort Myer, Va., while one of the Wright brothers was breaking all records in Europe: making over a hundred flights in all, first carrying a passenger and attaining the then highest altitude (360 feet) and greatest distance of flight (seventy-seven miles). [Illustration: WRIGHT MOTOR. DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETERS (From Petit's _How to Build an Aeroplane_)] The ownership of the Wrights in the wing-warping method of control is still the subject of litigation. The French infringers, it is stated, concede priority of application to the Wright firm, but maintain that such publicity was given the device that it was in general use before it was patented.