What is Brian doing in the beginning of the novel?

Brian is flying in a plane for the first time....

Brian shook his head. He had never been in any kind of plane, never seen the cockpit of a plane except in films or on television. It was loud and confusing. "First time."

Even better, the pilot let him fly the plane.

Brian reached out and took the wheel in a grip so tight his knuckles were white. He pushed his feet down on the pedals. The plane slewed suddenly to the right.