Hanlans Point, Sept. 18/15.

Dear Ones All,

I was so anxious to see Ruth to hear about you all for everybody seems to have been sick from one cause or another. I am so glad to hear that Belle is at last out of danger. It must have been a great strain for you all- and little Jack too and Cousin Dave! My, but what a hard time you have been having of it at home. Ruth says that Mother is feeling better as a result of the new treatment and I was so glad to hear that. Perhaps you won’t have any more trouble, Little Mother, from this time forward. Ruth shows in her appearance the strain and worry of the past week and I wish she were going back in better shape. I was fortunate in being able to spend the whole afternoon with her on Thursday. We had lunch at the Prince George and then went out to the ball game in the afternoon and watched Toronto trim Richmond to a peak.

I hung around the hangars for 12 whole days before being put on a class. That is nothing unusual however, judging from what the other boys say. Yesterday Macaulay told me I could start on his boat, and it sure did tickle me because he is the most experienced of the three pilots and although the other two generally finish their pupils more quickly, Macaulay is generally supposed to give the most thorough training. Yesterday at three o’clock in the afternoon I had my first flight. It is called by the boys “the Joy ride” because during the first flight the pupil does not touch the controls but merely sits still and absorbs sensations.

I’ll never forget the wonderful feeling I had when I looked down and found we had actually left the water and that we were flying! Then we went up and up and up until we reached 1000 feet and at that height we circled the bay in three mile loops and figure eights.

We sailed around there for 13 minutes, many times higher than the big Royal Bank Bldg. and the sensation was wonderful beyond words. The whole city of Toronto lay out before us like a map and we could see the tiny little ferry boats far below us. It gave me a feeling of exhilaration such as I had never experienced before.. I wanted to get up and shout and wave my arms, or to practically embrace the placid Macaulay- but all I could do under the circumstances was to grin and chuckle and I devoted all my energies to that The thought of fear or giddiness or nausea never entered my mind, but the wind pressure on the face is tremendous and the roar of the engine overhead is deafening. From the time the engine starts it is useless to try to speak. The pilot just makes signs. Early this morning I had another ride and handled the rudder. He will give me one more trial with the rudder and then give me the elevating planes to manage. Then the handling of the ailerons is added; then the whole three are handed over to the pupil to control. I expect to go up again in a few minutes and then if the weather keeps fine probably again this afternoon. Harry is right- the sensation is glorious, and it is more fascinating than I can tell you.

Molly is better than she was. The long delay at the school here has enabled me to spend a good deal of time in town with her and we have had some big times.

Now I must close as my turn comes next and the ‘plane will be here in a minute.

With a great deal of love to you all.
Yours as always,
Eric.

Ruth asked me to send you the latch key of the house. Am sending it later.   E.