Thumpango
27th Aug 2002, 07:53
What a delightful place Old Sarum airfield is.
On a sunny August bank holiday Sunday afternoon this place seemed to me to sum up what GA and private flying is all about. The variety of aircraft, visiting for lunch, pottering about, training and sightseeing was stunning.
A relaxed scene with people sitting outside the clubhouse in the sun enjoying the view of the many aircraft so near on the grass apron. Some were studying charts, others intensely looking at folders, planning their next trip? whilst their partners read a favourite novel.
Excited children and adults wait in expectation of a trial flight with the flying school. A young boy shouts, “he let me fly the plane!”
This is a very busy airfield this afternoon but there is room for everyone.
The elegant brown Moth with the blue wings gracefully takes off and looks a magnificent example of a flying age, almost suspended in the air.
The yellow tail dragger has attracted the intense interest of a small group of people staring at the rear wheel, one has big glasses and a toolbox, he must be the engineer, is the young lady the pilot? And who is the chap with both wrists in plaster and a large bandage on his head? Must be a story there! But all is well; it takes off and joins the fun of the circuit.
A small single engine plane arrives, it’s very smart and appears to change its colour from purple to orange as it turns and parks on the grass, what is it?
Cessna and Warriors are preflighted again and again by a steady stream of students hoping to perfect their skills in the variable crosswind.
A couple of microlights appear on the apron, they are quite different, one has a cockpit and one definitely doesn’t. They take to the air with a buzz and a wobble, finding their own place in the action.
Laughter, fun and excitement on this sunny afternoon, viewed through the eyes of a wannabee PPL, quietly sipping his lemonade and someday hoping to be part of it.
On a sunny August bank holiday Sunday afternoon this place seemed to me to sum up what GA and private flying is all about. The variety of aircraft, visiting for lunch, pottering about, training and sightseeing was stunning.
A relaxed scene with people sitting outside the clubhouse in the sun enjoying the view of the many aircraft so near on the grass apron. Some were studying charts, others intensely looking at folders, planning their next trip? whilst their partners read a favourite novel.
Excited children and adults wait in expectation of a trial flight with the flying school. A young boy shouts, “he let me fly the plane!”
This is a very busy airfield this afternoon but there is room for everyone.
The elegant brown Moth with the blue wings gracefully takes off and looks a magnificent example of a flying age, almost suspended in the air.
The yellow tail dragger has attracted the intense interest of a small group of people staring at the rear wheel, one has big glasses and a toolbox, he must be the engineer, is the young lady the pilot? And who is the chap with both wrists in plaster and a large bandage on his head? Must be a story there! But all is well; it takes off and joins the fun of the circuit.
A small single engine plane arrives, it’s very smart and appears to change its colour from purple to orange as it turns and parks on the grass, what is it?
Cessna and Warriors are preflighted again and again by a steady stream of students hoping to perfect their skills in the variable crosswind.
A couple of microlights appear on the apron, they are quite different, one has a cockpit and one definitely doesn’t. They take to the air with a buzz and a wobble, finding their own place in the action.
Laughter, fun and excitement on this sunny afternoon, viewed through the eyes of a wannabee PPL, quietly sipping his lemonade and someday hoping to be part of it.