On Saturday morning we were picked up and chauffeured to Southend Airport. We helped uncover the aeroplane. It appeared very small - it is only a four seater. Our pilot explained the procedures. We will have headphones so we can chat, but must be quiet when he's on the radio. There is only one exit, and because I'm sitting next to it I will have to open it in an emergency. We are going over water for a bit, and need to know how quickly the plane will sink. I will also have to get Jo out of the back, and must learn how to move the seat. If the engine should fail, the plane will glide easily, until be can find somewhere to land. Then the good news - there has never been an engine problem on the plane. John goes and fills the plane up with fuel. We get in - and make our selves comfortable. Then down the runway and into the air.
We cruised across the Thames and over Kent, spotting motorways, railways, and particular roundabouts. It is a very comfortable flight. We are enjoying ourselves, and getting an introduction to flying. We can see forts of various ages in the Solent and along the south coast. Most of them have never been used. We took a curcuit of the island and passed over the Needles. We landed at Bembridge and were guided to a parking place by the tower.
It was a relief to get out of the plane, on a day like Saturday, when its hot, the inside of the plane heats up very quickly when we stop moving. It had been a perfect day for a flight, and a very comfortable and enjoyable ride.
A short walk (2 miles?) along the coastal path was the "Crab & Lobster", where we were booked to eat lunch - and a very nice lunch it was too. Suitable fed, we walked back to the areodrome and got back in the plane.
We flew back along the south coast, and higher than we had on the way out. The ships and yatchs were just spots on the sea, and southern England can be seen for miles - it is a beautiful country. France though we did not see - it was too hazy for that. I was allowed to take the controls briefly and found out how sensitive the plane is to the slightest movement. With the pilot back in control we turned inland, and passed over some important landmarks for our pilot, and were still 'town' spotting as we travelled. Despite a little rain on the way home, we had a good flight and a very enjoyable day.
The point of the day was to mark the start of our 25 year of marriage (a little early, but my redundancy meant that the plans we had have changed). Jo would like to do 25 things that we have never done before, and this was the first. If the others are half as good as this we're in for a stunning year.
Glad you enjoyed the flight so much. I still find flying, even as a passenger, a huge thrill even though its been 28 years since I first qualified as a pilot.
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