John H wrote:
(Sent in caps as received)

"BALLS TO THE WALL" IS A TERM THAT PILOTS USE THAT HAS ORIGINS FROM THE
EARLIER DAYS OF FLIGHT, WHEN
THE THROTTLE, PROP CONTROL, AND MIXTURE HAD ROUND KNOBS THAT MADE IT EASY
FOR THE PILOT TO GRIP. ...

FULL FORWARD TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ... "BALLS TO THE WALL."


St Louis Approach control ...

St. Louis Approach to United: "United 123 best forward speed to the outer
marker, you're number
one."

United 123 (male voice): "Roger, balls to the wall."

St. Louis Approach to American: "American 4321, you're number two behind
a United 737, follow him,
cleared visual, best forward speed."

American 4321 (female voice): "Well I can't do balls to the wall, but I can do wide open."

-Radio silence-

Unidentified Pilot (male voice): "Is American hiring?

John H. -- Hope you're having a great day!

Balls to the wall predates flight. They main accepted definition is from
steam engines when the balls on the governor were out at the maximum, which
was a cylinder, therefore balls to the wall. But still a good joke.