MIRACLES OF SCIENCE 



way through the gyroscopic action of their rotating 

 motors and propellers. 



Very recently, however, Mr. Sperry has been able 

 to utilize the gyroscope as a stabilizer of the aero- 

 plane in a way to avoid this danger. His solution 

 consists in using two small gyroscopes which operate 

 on the rudders and balancing wings, but which are 

 far too feeble to have any marked direct effect upon 

 the stabilization of the craft. One gyroscope acts 

 on the horizontal rudder, the other on the aillerons 

 which take the place of warping wings in the Curtiss 

 aeroplane on which the apparatus was first tested. 

 These gyroscopes may be instantly detached from 

 their connection with the steering gears or re-con- 

 nected at the will of the aviator by means of a button 

 attached to his steering wheel. 



The two gyroscopes act quite independently, one of 

 them having to do with longitudinal and the other 

 with lateral stability. When in operation their re- 

 sponse to the slightest tendency of the machine to 

 oscillate is practically instantaneous and their auto- 

 matic control of the horizontal rudder and of the 

 warping devices is so delicately effective that the 

 aeroplane is kept flying at a given level a.nd almost 

 without a tremor even in a choppy wind where the 

 most skilful aviator would find it very difficult to 

 maintain a safe balance, and impossible to keep the 

 apparatus really steady. 



mosts skilful aviator woud find difficulty in keeping 

 the apparatus steady. 



If it is desired to ascend or descend, it is only nec- 

 essary to throw the longitudinal stabilizer out of con- 



276 



