small biplanes built by De Havilland out of bed-making materials
Lots can go wrong with my small aeroplane before disaster threatens. The engine can disintegrate, bits can fall off, some of the controls can seize, and I could still get it down.
So he is advocating flying an a/c made from an old bed which bits fall off?
Hmm... I think he should carry on talking to his "mate" Colin!!