Your first time
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Your first time
What gave you that initial buzz?
How did you get the urge to go aloft?
Answers please on a postard...
My first flight was a C 54 Skymaster Manston to Ostend with Invicta Airways with my mum and dad in 1966, our first holiday "abroad".
On the return I actually blagged a cockpit ride and the seeds were sown... does that guy realise what he did?
How did you get the urge to go aloft?
Answers please on a postard...
My first flight was a C 54 Skymaster Manston to Ostend with Invicta Airways with my mum and dad in 1966, our first holiday "abroad".
On the return I actually blagged a cockpit ride and the seeds were sown... does that guy realise what he did?
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When I was a kid I cycled to the park and watched the RC models, decided that one day I'd like to do it for real, then forgot all about it.
Years later after buying a house, I found that I spent my time either working or doing DIY (yuck). I then saw an ad in the local paper - 'We'll teach you to fly a glider for free!' - That was the start.
Ian
Years later after buying a house, I found that I spent my time either working or doing DIY (yuck). I then saw an ad in the local paper - 'We'll teach you to fly a glider for free!' - That was the start.
Ian
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My biggest inspiration was my big mouth!
Found out a guy at work was an instructor, and shot my mouth off about unimpressed I was. Anyone could do it!
My bluff was called and it was put up or shut up!
After first flight I was scared witless! Then I realized 'Hey, This is fun!', and I was hooked...!
Sad, huh..?
Found out a guy at work was an instructor, and shot my mouth off about unimpressed I was. Anyone could do it!
My bluff was called and it was put up or shut up!
After first flight I was scared witless! Then I realized 'Hey, This is fun!', and I was hooked...!
Sad, huh..?
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Must admit, I was a user of MSFS98 and then 2000. Always had an interest in aviation since I was a kid. Never thought about learning to fly because of the cost and time involved.
My wife planned to get me a trial lesson for Xmas last year. Had 1st lesson in April. Was really excited, but nervous beforehand.
Couldn't believe it when my instructor told me hold the yoke, advance the throttle and rotate at 60KIAS. Didn't think I would do this in the first lesson. The sensation I went through on that 1st rotate was amazing. Was hooked immediately and proceeded to book a lesson for the next day.
Sturggling to find the funds here in Ireland. Looking at hour building in the states 2001 with the hope to complete license late 01, early 02.
My wife planned to get me a trial lesson for Xmas last year. Had 1st lesson in April. Was really excited, but nervous beforehand.
Couldn't believe it when my instructor told me hold the yoke, advance the throttle and rotate at 60KIAS. Didn't think I would do this in the first lesson. The sensation I went through on that 1st rotate was amazing. Was hooked immediately and proceeded to book a lesson for the next day.
Sturggling to find the funds here in Ireland. Looking at hour building in the states 2001 with the hope to complete license late 01, early 02.
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When I was a kid, my parents travelled around a lot. By the time I was eleven I had over 300 separate flights to my pax credit.
We settled down around that time, and through my teens I pretty much forgot about how much fun flying is.
Early twenties, I'd already quit two university courses because of boredom and didn't have a clue what to do with my life, when I read a book by a fellow named Richard Bach. Then I read another of his books... and that was that. A TIF only confirmed what, by that time, I knew to be true. I *had* to fly!
Does *that* guy realize what he did?
We settled down around that time, and through my teens I pretty much forgot about how much fun flying is.
Early twenties, I'd already quit two university courses because of boredom and didn't have a clue what to do with my life, when I read a book by a fellow named Richard Bach. Then I read another of his books... and that was that. A TIF only confirmed what, by that time, I knew to be true. I *had* to fly!
Does *that* guy realize what he did?
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People have a lot to answer for don't they?
Authors, wives and instructors!
I sometimes wonder about the guy who by his kindness got me hooked, it is conceivable that he is still around.
Anyone know of a bloke who was a DC4 captain for Invicta Airways in 1966 who took a 10 year old Bolton kid "under his wing" for half an hour?
We are all hopefully passing the gene on by doing similar things,I love taking kids out, they have no sense of fear and the look in their faces makes it so worthwhile.
Authors, wives and instructors!
I sometimes wonder about the guy who by his kindness got me hooked, it is conceivable that he is still around.
Anyone know of a bloke who was a DC4 captain for Invicta Airways in 1966 who took a 10 year old Bolton kid "under his wing" for half an hour?
We are all hopefully passing the gene on by doing similar things,I love taking kids out, they have no sense of fear and the look in their faces makes it so worthwhile.
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I think it’s in my genes. My Mum was in the WAAF just after the war and blagged flights in a Mosquito, Lancasters and a meteor. Her Brother was in the RAF and also loved flying (The Uncle I was hoping to take to the IWM Fly-in) I read every Biggles Book ever written (I realised that is why I started smoking) later on I read just about every BoB book I could find. As a Kid I lived in Orpington near Biggin and would go to every Air show. When I was about 12 some mates and myself would walk the 10 or so miles to Biggin to sit under the approach and wave at the Pilots.
In 1978 aged 21 I was working in Chichester, had a couple of quid in my pocket and went to Goodwood for a trial lesson. That was it, I was hooked, I quit the job I had and went to work in Saudi to earn enough for lessons. Got my licence in the mid eighties but due to lack of funds (an hour then cost about the same as it does now I seem to remember) I lapsed. Started a family, did some other things but never got rid of the bug, so in 1997 I got my licence back and enjoy it as much as ever.
In 1978 aged 21 I was working in Chichester, had a couple of quid in my pocket and went to Goodwood for a trial lesson. That was it, I was hooked, I quit the job I had and went to work in Saudi to earn enough for lessons. Got my licence in the mid eighties but due to lack of funds (an hour then cost about the same as it does now I seem to remember) I lapsed. Started a family, did some other things but never got rid of the bug, so in 1997 I got my licence back and enjoy it as much as ever.
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Screeched to a halt outside Welshpool Airfield on my way back from work; on impulse I decided to find out if flying was as expensive as I'd always thought it must be. Ended up booking a trial lesson, and then... A familiar story; same as everyone else really.
Whirly in Egypt
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To fly is human, to hover, divine.
Whirly in Egypt
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To fly is human, to hover, divine.
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First flight - GACEJ DH83 Fox Moth, Southport beach, cicra 1960/61 with (I hope) the legendary Monsieur Giro.
This aircraft was virtually destroyed by fire at Old Warden in 1966 when another aircraft crashed into it. It was eventually re-built by the late Ben Cooper at Rendcomb and appears regularly at the Woburn Moth Rally.
This aircraft was virtually destroyed by fire at Old Warden in 1966 when another aircraft crashed into it. It was eventually re-built by the late Ben Cooper at Rendcomb and appears regularly at the Woburn Moth Rally.
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Haven't been to Southport in years so don't know if there's any flying there anymore. Use to go regularly as there were relatives there, don't think I ever saw the tide in!!!! The beach was always very firm.
I also remember GADDI DH Dragon pleasure flying out of Blackpool. I flew in this later when it was operated by Chris Roberts (I think). I believe this is still around in the US (N34DH).
The beach was always very firm.I also remember GADDI DH Dragon pleasure flying out of Blackpool. I flew in this later when it was operated by Chris Roberts (I think). I believe this is still around in the US (N34DH).
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Flying was just another form of transport, albeit slightly superior to an eleven yr old, well who makes Airfix buses?
Dad took a job in Brazil and jet travel became boarding school to jungle home transportation. Belem International was just a shack and a warehouse at the mouth of the Amazon. Having arrived by Varig, Pan Am or chartered American carrier, home was still 400 km's away by company DC3.
The 11/12 yr old gringo boy was always offered a seat in the Goony-bird cockpit but always refused! One day, after another unaccompanied flight from LHR via Miami, there was no-one to meet me at Belem: I found the normal meeting area, recognised the Captain and told him of my predicament. Both Carlos and Jose recognised me and alleviated any anxiety (haven't seen yr folks for 12 weeks and your mum wasn't at MIA like advertised - your not sure if you should have waited - but hell, yr booked through and no there are no 'phones in the jungle!!)
An hour later - climbing out over the Amazon as dawn broke, sitting in the cockpit with the two cheroot smoking crew, I thought - yeah this is good!
Jose called the company on the HF net and I told my father that I was "inbound estimating arrival at 0852". Mum and Dad met me at the strip!
Jose, the co-pilot kept a C150 at the company strip and whenever I returned we'd fly together. Obrigado, 'se!
Twenty years later in Africa, I did my DC3 ground school and as a multi-engine rated PPL took my vacation in-country to fly UNICEF aid food into the bush in DC3's and Caribous.
I just love it but have no desire to prostitute myself by doing it for money!
sNr - just a PPL
Dad took a job in Brazil and jet travel became boarding school to jungle home transportation. Belem International was just a shack and a warehouse at the mouth of the Amazon. Having arrived by Varig, Pan Am or chartered American carrier, home was still 400 km's away by company DC3.
The 11/12 yr old gringo boy was always offered a seat in the Goony-bird cockpit but always refused! One day, after another unaccompanied flight from LHR via Miami, there was no-one to meet me at Belem: I found the normal meeting area, recognised the Captain and told him of my predicament. Both Carlos and Jose recognised me and alleviated any anxiety (haven't seen yr folks for 12 weeks and your mum wasn't at MIA like advertised - your not sure if you should have waited - but hell, yr booked through and no there are no 'phones in the jungle!!)
An hour later - climbing out over the Amazon as dawn broke, sitting in the cockpit with the two cheroot smoking crew, I thought - yeah this is good!
Jose called the company on the HF net and I told my father that I was "inbound estimating arrival at 0852". Mum and Dad met me at the strip!
Jose, the co-pilot kept a C150 at the company strip and whenever I returned we'd fly together. Obrigado, 'se!
Twenty years later in Africa, I did my DC3 ground school and as a multi-engine rated PPL took my vacation in-country to fly UNICEF aid food into the bush in DC3's and Caribous.
I just love it but have no desire to prostitute myself by doing it for money!
sNr - just a PPL
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Long, hot summer of '76, RAF West Raynham, Norfolk: nervous, spoddy, never-flown-before Air Cadet, just old enough to be allowed on annual camp, staggering out encumbered by seat-parachute to red and white Chipmunk shimmering in the haze coming off the asphalt. Been-there-done-that RAFVR Flying Officer waiting in the cockpit(probably a retired Air Marshall with a zillion hours on Hunters). "Sir Sir, please Sir can we go upside down please Sir....". We did.
Can't remember what first made me obsessed with aeroplanes, but remember going into a frenzy aged 9 when a routine visit to the local shops was transformed by the mysterious presence in the ice rink car park of a wingless Spitfire on a flatbed truck. I reached up on tiptoes and touched its wheel, and spent the rest of the day in a dream...
Can't remember what first made me obsessed with aeroplanes, but remember going into a frenzy aged 9 when a routine visit to the local shops was transformed by the mysterious presence in the ice rink car park of a wingless Spitfire on a flatbed truck. I reached up on tiptoes and touched its wheel, and spent the rest of the day in a dream...
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Good luck, Goldie, you won't regret it!
Back to the thread, having spent time on a carrier and often as armed pax in Wessex Mk 5, often wished I could fly a chopper.
But trial flights are damned expensive, so I was given two vouchers for a C152 instead.
About the best thing I ever did was start to fly.
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Me, sweat? I'm that cool, it's condensation.
Back to the thread, having spent time on a carrier and often as armed pax in Wessex Mk 5, often wished I could fly a chopper.
But trial flights are damned expensive, so I was given two vouchers for a C152 instead.
About the best thing I ever did was start to fly.
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Me, sweat? I'm that cool, it's condensation.
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On which subject I had a phone call yesterday from a young family friend. He's 14 but been aviation potty since I've known him - which (with his Dad's permission) I've encouraged by trips to flying museums, etc. Somehow I've yet to take him flying; whenever they visit, the weather's crap.
Well, since I last saw him he's joined the Air Cadets, and on Sunday got his first flight (in the new Grob Tutor) - I think his account of the flight took longer than the flight - he obviously got a few aeros in (and quite right too!).
I'll give better than even odds that in 10 years that young man is strapping into a Eurofighter 5 days a week.
G
Well, since I last saw him he's joined the Air Cadets, and on Sunday got his first flight (in the new Grob Tutor) - I think his account of the flight took longer than the flight - he obviously got a few aeros in (and quite right too!).
I'll give better than even odds that in 10 years that young man is strapping into a Eurofighter 5 days a week.
G
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I've always wanted to do it for as long as I can remember, but it was probably a birthday treat of a flight in an Auster (i think) from what was then Ringway (now Manchester) at the age of about 7. I sat behind the pilot and was amazed that he could move this stick thingy and tilt the whole world. Wow! One day I'm gonna do that! But as I got older it seemed that flying was something ordinary guys don't do. Then in that glorious summer of 1976 my wife and I went on a Gliding holiday to Nympsfield nedar Stroud. Then I read Richard Bach's 'A Gift of Wings', took up gliding, got frustrated at the lack of time in the air V. time on ground, and a friend took me up in a C150 from Barton. Suddenly it seemd possible - so I signed up and 8 months later had my PPL. That was over 20 years ago, and i treasure the experiences of those 20 years.
Also very pleased to report that several guys who I introduced to the delights of a Chipmunk have since become PPLs themselves.
SSG
Also very pleased to report that several guys who I introduced to the delights of a Chipmunk have since become PPLs themselves.
SSG
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1969, 8 years old, Grandfather secretary of Hounslow Town Football Club. Bored sitting on touchline in pouring rain on a Saturday afternoon so looked at the airliners on app into LHR instead of the football and thought "looks fun - like to do that". Then cadets at school in Reading, Chippy flights etc and cycling 11 miles to White Waltham and Blackbushe every weekend with friend. Offered flights from time to time and then PPL in 1986 at Wycombe. Now IMC/Night and 500 hours. Still get a great buzz.....
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1969. I was six years old and had to fly from Toronto to Sydney, NS to visit some relatives. I had recently seen Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines and was pretty excited when the family told me I'd be going on a plane ride (note to parents of small children- NEVER tell them the destination unless you want the infernal Are We There Yet refrain). We flew in an Air Canada Vanguard, a noisy lumbering behemoth that made several stops and took all day. I thought it was the greatest machine ever invented!