Dogs in planes
Ah!
I remember the late, great David Hughes of The Rural Flying Corps at Bourn in 1979.
I was there for my AFI Rating.
After the first 3 days helping to erect the buildings you see there today (!) I finally got to fly.
After a comprehensive pre-flight briefing I got into one of their Aerobats 'IE.
'I'll be out in a minute' said David.
Out he came - great big bloke in a huge pair of shorts, swigging a mug of tea.
'Off you go' he said - still glugging as I taxied out.
'Stop Stop' he said - after about 10 or 15 yards.
He then opened the door and in jumped Gemma his big Labrador.
'She loves flying' he said.
Off we went - the dogs paws never moving from the control yoke on Davids (left) side.
'Want to see a barrel roll?'
'Go on then'.
I will never forget the dog. Her tongue was right out and - well - I reckon dogs actually do smile. Her tongue prescribed a perfect 360 as we went around.
Those were the days.
David was the most wonderful guy - a gentle giant - who regrettably died young in a hotel room in the USA. He was flying Lears apparently and simply died suddenly of a brain embolism(?) while he was watching telly.
Do many of you out there remember him?
Of the 3 originals - Gary died on the Golf course I am told - only Lindsey - ('The Great Lindso' to those who saw him in his tights and big tosh at the Xmas RFC Panto 1980 - doing his strong man act - bl@@dy funny!! )- survives.
Lovely bloke - go see him!
He has a great big Dalmatian. Now - I wonder......??!!