L. Frank Baum,
The Flying Girl and Her Chum — 1…
(1912)
“ What may seem to the spectators to be daring, and even desperate, is often the safest mode of flying, provided you understand your machine and the conditions of the air. To volplane from a height of five or ten thousand feet, for example, is safer than from a slight elevation, for the further you drop the better air-cushion is formed under your planes, and you ride as gently as when suspended from a parachute."Madeline was listening eagerly."Are you afraid?" she asked."Afraid? Why should I be, with my brother's wonderful engine at my back and perfect control of every part of my machine?" ”
