Dropping out or Dropping in
Back in the mists of time ( 60's) i used to escape occaisionally from ATC gliding and go over to Biggin to take in the power scene.
In those days it was really buzzing with all sorts of clubs using a very diverse assortment of machines from T/Moths,Austers,Chipmunks, Condors, through to the fairly new trikes from Piper, Cessna, Beagle and Rallye.
Another rather quaint factor was the communal meeting place "Dillows" that seemed to be the hub of all things at Biggin.
It was a very friendly place and certainly encouraged people to get involved at whatever level you could afford.
The "Damascus" point for me was being there when a RF3 pottered along the taxiway having flown in from France.
Coming from a gliding background it immediatley struck a chord of interest that was only increased when i found it had the same engine as my 1200 VW Beetle.
A few weeks later i was there in the early evening when a Turbulent arrived from France and the driver(complete with lifejacket) ran over to control to do the "Customs" thing.
I wandered over to have a closer look at this fine machine (i knew they had VW engines) when the pilot arrived back jumped in and after a brief exchange of information said he had to get off (for Redhill)before it got dark.
With that he pulled the recoil starter and promptly took off across the taxiway and turned left for home.
That was it for me, i now had a goal and within a few years i was happily zipping around (non radio) in my own Turb with a huge grin.
Why; well i had the reason,it was affordable,the airfields were friendly and the whole thing was FUN!!!
Pobjoy