Grew up under the 26 approach path to Luton and as a kid, spent hours laying on the ground watching them. Decided that I was going to fly for a living aged about 12 (when I realised I was never going to play for Arsenal), and took all the right stuff at school, before being told at the age of 16, by a careers teacher, that I couldnt fly because I had hayfever. I believed him and bumbled along through college and ended up in IT. A couple of years later, worked for a guy who had been an RAF test pilot and a Court Line captain (I still have the company tie he gave me). I wandered into his office one day and his eyes were streaming
'its hayfever' says he,
'no it can't be' says I and I told him the story.
'Complete carp' he tells me
and a few days later, with no intention of turning pro cos I was married and actually doing pretty well , I took my first lesson 'just to show 'em'!!
Still in IT, still PPL and still stare wistfully at aircraft as they pass overhead! If man has created a more inspirational machine than an aircraft I would love to see it.