Lazy Sod
Member
- Location
- Warminster
I've thought for some time that there ought to be a thread on this topic. Whether you are, have been, or aspire to be a pilot, or are just interested, here is your oportunity to take part. I'll kick it off with a little about my flying life.
I knew nothing about it until my elder brother learnt to fly in 1969. He set up an airstrip on his land adjacent to my former farm and bought an old aircraft.
I became interested and started buying flying magazines. In 1971, I learnt to fly at Compton Abbas Airfield on Rollason Condors and for the last few hours on Cessna 150s.
Compton Abbas, at the time, operated as a non radio airfield. As well as the power flying, we also had gliding and parachuting going on as well. On many occasions when on the approach, I had to overshòot because a glider was stil on the runway, so it was a matter of keeping a good lookout. There was also the matter of men with big boots falling out of the sky!
I had my own aircraft for 11 years, hangared friends machines, which I borrowed and used club aircraft a bit as well, finally to have a share with my brother and another chap in a Jodel 1051. After 31 years, and feeling that I had been there and done that, I stopped Flying and sold my share.
Being still surrounded by flying, I'm still interested, but don't feel the need to do it myself. All of my 3 children flew with me occasionally, but it was my younger son who got the bug, getting his fixed wing licence in 1996 just after he left university. About 6 years ago he started doing his helicopter licence and now flies exclusivly rotary. He currently flies a (hired) Eurocopter EC120, 5 seat, single engine turbine.
I knew nothing about it until my elder brother learnt to fly in 1969. He set up an airstrip on his land adjacent to my former farm and bought an old aircraft.
I became interested and started buying flying magazines. In 1971, I learnt to fly at Compton Abbas Airfield on Rollason Condors and for the last few hours on Cessna 150s.
Compton Abbas, at the time, operated as a non radio airfield. As well as the power flying, we also had gliding and parachuting going on as well. On many occasions when on the approach, I had to overshòot because a glider was stil on the runway, so it was a matter of keeping a good lookout. There was also the matter of men with big boots falling out of the sky!
I had my own aircraft for 11 years, hangared friends machines, which I borrowed and used club aircraft a bit as well, finally to have a share with my brother and another chap in a Jodel 1051. After 31 years, and feeling that I had been there and done that, I stopped Flying and sold my share.
Being still surrounded by flying, I'm still interested, but don't feel the need to do it myself. All of my 3 children flew with me occasionally, but it was my younger son who got the bug, getting his fixed wing licence in 1996 just after he left university. About 6 years ago he started doing his helicopter licence and now flies exclusivly rotary. He currently flies a (hired) Eurocopter EC120, 5 seat, single engine turbine.
I have "flown" a B206 simulator in IMC. I have met helicopter legends like Phil Croucher and Dennis Kenyon and once bumped into David Jason without recognising him.
