I had my first flight in an Auster from Ringway (now Manchester Airport) when I was about 8. I sat behind the pilot and was amazed that he could move the stick and the whole world tilted over. "I want to do that one day; move a stick and tilt the world", I vowed. But I always thought flying would be too expensive so went on a gliding course at Nympsfield in the glorious summer of 1976.
Gliding (at Camphill, which I joined) didn't really do it for me. So in 1978 I went to Lancs Aero Club at Barton and 7 months later I had my PPL. Shortly after that I had a share in Chipmunk G-BCSL.
34 years (and counting!) of flying small aeroplanes - best thing I ever did!