W. L. Cope of Niagara Falls, Ont., contributed a flying story:

A sergeant-pilot had just earned his wings and was on leave in his home town, a seaport. He was taking a stroll along the harbor when he saw some activity around a seaplane on the water. The pilot agreed to take him along for a flip.

Our young hero asked whether he could take a turn at the controls and the pilot said sure. The sergeant circled the airfield near the town, then reduced speed, put the nose down and made for the runway. When the plane was at about 500 feet, the regular pilot gestured at the ground. The sergeant immediately pulled the nose up and shoved the throttle forward. At 2,000 feet, the pilot resumed control, landed on the water and taxied to the mooring. As the engine was switched off, the sergeant burst out: “I bet you got a scare when you thought I was going to land a seaplane on land.”

“That’s why I pointed at the ground,” the pilot conceded.

“You needn’t have,” said the sergeant. “I’m too smart for that.”

So saying, he opened the door and stepped out into the water.