It all started with an airshow visit as a kid of about 5 - the noise was fantastic!!!! Starfighters, Phantoms, Vulcans, all the really great noisy, smokey stuff we used to have around really set something off inside.
Got into model kits after that. My friends just really didn't (and probably still don't!) understand the fascination I had with planes, especially the military fast jets. Loved going to airshows, and always stopped to stare when anything ripped past the house at low level back when the RAF could afford to fly, grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
Older brother joined the RAF when I was 12, and all his tales just made me want it more. Joined a UAS when I was 18 and got my first ever flight - Bulldog T1. Must have grinned for a month. Logged about 50 hours there, including some solo aeros - what an absolute hoot - and all at the poor old taxpayers expense!!!
However, met my wife at around same time and the RAF thing sort of went pear-shaped. Couldn't get flying out of my head though despite trying to, and 2 years ago took the biggest gamble of my life and packed in work to do my ATPL. Now working as company pilot for a small aerial survey outfit and I love it. You really just can't call it work
