Pitch, power, airspeed. Pull back on the yoke and the nose comes up. Reduce throttle to maintain altitude, the airplane slows down.

Balancing pitch and power, the horn comes in, low and reedy, then stronger, louder, insistent. You keep raising the nose. Power to keep from falling off the edge of the stall. Rudder to keep her straight.

The engine roaring, the sound of wind against the airframe is gone. The airplane feels mushy, wobbly. Raise the nose, add power, a touch more rudder.

Now you are below the white line. The horn is urgent, desperate. You turn the aircraft to the left, a light touch on the yoke. You ask it and it answers, turning quickly. You add pressure to the yoke, asking for a left turn. The airplane dances on the edge. Finally, you ask the airplane to fall.

Pull back on the yoke and the nose drops. Push the rudder and cut the throttle. The horn quiets and the wind comes back as the wings regain their grip. Carefully raising up the nose, the airplane flies. Joyously, partners in the sky.