First Flight....
- CharlieOneSix
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First Flight....
When, where and in what was yours? Mine was 1956 in an Auster at the long gone Christchurch airfield when Dad stomped up ten bob:
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- Fox3WheresMyBanana
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Re: First Flight....
With my dad as pilot, also in an Auster, from the long gone Panshanger airfield in 1964, aged 2.
Re: First Flight....
Age 5 or 6 circa 1960 in a V-Tail Bonanza.
I was visiting relatives about 2 1/2 hours away by road when a family emergency came up (don't remember what) and my parents flew up in the company plane of the spinning mill that my father worked for.
My father was in sales and often was flown around to client knitting mills all over the U.S. southeast.
They also had a Beech Travel Air that they used for longer trips to New York or Chicago.
I was happy to be able to tell my Dad that I got my ATP and MEI in a Travel Air.
PP
I was visiting relatives about 2 1/2 hours away by road when a family emergency came up (don't remember what) and my parents flew up in the company plane of the spinning mill that my father worked for.
My father was in sales and often was flown around to client knitting mills all over the U.S. southeast.
They also had a Beech Travel Air that they used for longer trips to New York or Chicago.
I was happy to be able to tell my Dad that I got my ATP and MEI in a Travel Air.
PP
Re: First Flight....
Late 60s, from East Midlands to Southend. The flight was a birthday present from a friend of the family. I don't remember anything about aircraft type apart from the fact that it had propellers.
- Woody
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Re: First Flight....
+1 for the Auster first flight club, Squires Gate ,Blackpool courtesy of Westair
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- G~Man
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Re: First Flight....
Aged just under 4 when my Dad came home from from Aden:
. Although I had flown right after being born, I believe I was flown from Accra to Takoradi.
. Although I had flown right after being born, I believe I was flown from Accra to Takoradi.
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- ExSp33db1rd
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Re: First Flight....
March 4th 1956, North American Harvard Mk II, Centralia, Ontario,Canada. Start of RAF training via RCAF NATO training.
April 24th 1956 - First solo, Harvard.
April 24th 2006 - 50th Anniversay, Dual flight in a Harvard. ( Some PiC, but not solo ! )
April 24th 1956 - First solo, Harvard.
April 24th 2006 - 50th Anniversay, Dual flight in a Harvard. ( Some PiC, but not solo ! )
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Re: First Flight....
October 1962 - There is a photo of me lying on a tray in the galley on a SAA Viscount, en route from Johannesburg to Cape Town, surrounded by two cooing, attractive air hostesses (as they were known then) and a proud beaming mother who had worked with these young colleagues before I had arrived to ruin her peripatetic, fun, life in the air.
Little did I realise at the time that this was, literally, the high point of my life, having two young women (and my mother, of course) showing such rapt interest in me, and that it could only go downhill thereafter!
I have the photo in the loft. I might retrieve it and post it here as a salient lesson to my aged self.
Little did I realise at the time that this was, literally, the high point of my life, having two young women (and my mother, of course) showing such rapt interest in me, and that it could only go downhill thereafter!
I have the photo in the loft. I might retrieve it and post it here as a salient lesson to my aged self.
My necessaries are embark'd: farewell. Adieu! I have too grieved a heart to take a tedious leave.
- tango15
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Re: First Flight....
Ah, Panshanger! When (as a family) we were forcibly moved to the South of England, we lived in Panshanger. (1986-1988). I used to love walking to the fence with my little lad and watching the Tiger Moths and other heavier-than-air types aviating - fond memories!Fox3WheresMyBanana wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:14 pmWith my dad as pilot, also in an Auster, from the long gone Panshanger airfield in 1964, aged 2.
- tango15
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Re: First Flight....
I was standing by the fence at Speke Airport watching the comings and goings, and there was a Dragon Rapide getting ready to do a few circuits. The pilot asked me if I wanted to join the (lady) air cadets. We were airborne for about 15 minutes and flew down the river. Fabulous views. I think I was about 14 at the time, and I decided (foolishly!) that aviation was to be my chosen career
- Fox3WheresMyBanana
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Re: First Flight....
Ah, Aden! Aged 4Aged just under 4 when my Dad came home from from Aden:
When my family emigrated to Australia in 1966, the boat stopped at Aden (almost nobody emigrated by airliner in those days)
We had the address of a civilian friend working for the military, who had insisted we visit. He held the equivalent of a senior officer's rank.
After some negotiation on the dockside, a phone was accessed, and an afternoon arranged.
We couldn't go to the Officers' Mess as it had just been mortar-bombed, so it was the beach.
An army Land Rover turned up at the dock. I had to sit in the front to balance the armed soldier standing on my side, with my parents and baby brother in the back.
It was, as you can imagine, quite exciting!
My first flight (I think).
- Ex-Ascot
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Re: First Flight....
I guess about 1967 aged 12. A jet from Manchester to Paris no idea what. A Manchester cathedral choir tour of frog land. A lot of trains involved. No problems in buying beer on board. The loos were just a hole down to the track so we dropped the bottles down there so that our minders didn't know. We had to stay with families which I found embarrassing but they had no hesitation in giving us wine with dinner.
'Yes, Madam, I am drunk, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.' Sir Winston Churchill.
- Wodrick
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Re: First Flight....
A Dragon Rapide I is told, no memory of it at all, about four a round Ringway flight with Airviews?
Think the old man wanted to do it really and wanted an excuse.
Think the old man wanted to do it really and wanted an excuse.
Re: First Flight....
I was 10 and it was a mystery flight on a F27 operated by EastWest. We flew to Wagga Wagga.
Next trip, a few months later on Singapore Airlines B747 Sydney to Singapore.
I did a joy flight in a glider in my early twenties. Nup. Sick as a dog.
A colleague at work took me for a flight in his PA28 when I was 21. That hooked me forever.
Next trip, a few months later on Singapore Airlines B747 Sydney to Singapore.
I did a joy flight in a glider in my early twenties. Nup. Sick as a dog.
A colleague at work took me for a flight in his PA28 when I was 21. That hooked me forever.
- ExSp33db1rd
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Re: First Flight....
..........a few months later on Singapore Airlines B747 Sydney to Singapore.
I might have been your pilot !
I might have been your pilot !
Re: First Flight....
I was 10 many many decades ago. Mid 70s.
- ExSp33db1rd
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Re: First Flight....
OK, before my time then........Mid 70s.
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Re: First Flight....
For me; No flamin' idea!! It was Family rumour that I was aged about 6 months and in my Mother's arms when we went for a quick flight in a two seat Glider with my Father flying it.
But it was never confirmed that such a thing ever happened and it never occurred to me to ask either Mum or Dad.
Too late now!
But it was never confirmed that such a thing ever happened and it never occurred to me to ask either Mum or Dad.
Too late now!
You only live twice. Once when you're born. Once when you've looked death in the face.
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Re: First Flight....
About 1952 aged 9, de Havilland Puss Moth from the beach at Southport Beach. I don't remember sight seeing, just the vision panel looking straight down.
Re: First Flight....
First flight - a Chippie, and not the ones that come with fish. 1957 at RAF Chivenor. Magic it was, pure magic. Equally enjoyable was flight was from Gatwick to Bahrain in 1965. Yes a magic Ten, of the VC variety. A troopship, the jockey pulled back hard on the stick, and gave it stick, and we all cheered and drummed our feet.
Rev Mother Bene Gesserit.
Sent from my PDP11/05 running RSX-11D via an ASR33 (TTY)
Sent from my PDP11/05 running RSX-11D via an ASR33 (TTY)