Smudge:
"In that vein, I was wondering if anyone would like to share their first flight experience. For me, an amazing 30 minutes in a Chipmunk from Shawbury circa 1967. A few aero's and finally allowed a "clutch"."
...perhaps even the same pilot! - but 5 or six years later. It gave me the Bug too - but not for flying.
I never did gliders or Balloons - though I did move through a whole raft of mil & civ types and sizes, C150 & Gazelle to B757/767, and eventually back into helicopters...where I am once more.