Still "Flying" at 95 !!

[Dudley424]

My Dad is an ex RAF Bomber Pilot (WW2)
He flew a Boston IIIA with 88 Squadron and was one of the aircraft laying smoke on the Normandy Beaches on D Day. A painting by Michael Turner entitled "Friendly Smoke" depicts his very aircraft, and is signed by the painter and Dad.
Just recently, he was Guest of Honour at the celebrations at RAF Brize Norton, and during his visit (I was with him) he was shown around the whole station including Air Tanker training unit.
He was invited to take the left hand seat in the Voyager simulator, and after 10 minutes instruction, and familiarisation with the controls, made a perfect simulated landing back at Brize, much to the delight and applause from the instructors and on lookers..
So when I read in another thread of people moaning about ageism in the airlines, they should be very humbled by this. I hope!
Dudley Valentine son of F/O Leslie Valentine CdeG RAF (Rtd)

[Courtney Mil]

Hats off to him. Only goes to show - once a pilot...

(I'm sure one or two PPRuNers will be happy to step to finish the sentence:cool:)

It also goes to show how easy it is to fly modern aircraft. :E

Well done, F/O Leslie Valentine. :D

[Union Jack]

Good news, Dudley, and long may he continue to "fly". :ok:

It looks as if he can pull age, if not rank, on Danny, whom I'm sure would be as keen as the rest of us if your Dad could be persuaded to contribute to http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/329990-gaining-r-f-pilots-brevet-ww11.html either directly or through you.

Yours hopefully

Jack

[Danny42C]

Union Jack,

Hope for us yet ! Take my hat off to the old gentleman ! It's true, it's like riding a bike, you never forget (so I'm told). Dudley, please get the pater talking, record all and put it on to (preferably) this Thread.

We wait with bated breath,

Danny42C.

[smujsmith]

Dudley,

I would second Danny. Your dad, is obviously still pretty chipper, and no doubt would have some great memories of his training and subsequent service. The thread to post on would be;

http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/329990-gaining-r-f-pilots-brevet-ww11.html

In the meantime, thanks for sharing your dads day with us, I'm sure we all wish him many more such days to come.

Best


Smudge:ok: