This time, they carried the glider almost to the top of Big Kill Devil Hill.
"Ready?" asked Orville.
"Ready," replied Wilbur from his prone position.
Safely in the air, Wilbur warped the wings. There was an instant response and Wilbur glowed with joy. But as the glider curved, he became aware of a new instability. He adjusted the controls. There was little response. True, the glider turned. Still - although puzzled, he managed a safe landing.
On his fifth flight that day, Wilbur became aware of increasing instability. Then the left wing dipped far too deeply. Frantically he pushed the elevator control. He was too late. The tip of the left wing bit into the sand and he was hurled forward against the canvas elevator.
The birds all knew the secret of turning while in flight. But their secret was so deep no one could solve it. People said it was impossible for a heavier-than-air machine to fly. But Wilbur and Orville were determined to show the world that it could be done!
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