My very first Flight.
First flight in 1973 as an air cadet at annual camp at RAF Macrihanish on a summers evening in a Chipmunk, can't remember the registration but still remember the flight. Many flights since in all sorts of aircraft including Concorde, and a Chinook, now in Lear jets and Cheyanes as a flight nurse, but you never forget your first time slipping the surly bonds of earth and seeing the world from a different place.
Join Date: Oct 2011
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In a MOTU Lancaster Coded H D. I had never experienced such noise (helmets were not handed out and obviously there were no ear plugs or the like). Sitting on a wooden bench with 4 other ATC cadets I couldn't see much but the sight of St. Michaels mount on a clear sunny day inspired me to strive for a service career - even if I was deaf for three days afterwards!
First flight was in Lockheed Hudson VH-SMK at Camden NSW Australia. Some time in 1948 or 1949. Pilot was Captain Harry Purvis AFC and the aircraft belonged to the Sydney Morning Herald Flying Services and was used for carrying newspapers which were air-dropped.
It was a test flight following an engine change and the Hudson was a freighter with no seats except for the pilots. About six ground-staff came along for the trip and sat on the floor because there were no seat belts. I was 17 and I remember my ears hurt like hell as no one thought to brief on how to clear our ears. The engine noise on take off was painful as being a freighter all sound-proofing had been removed. If I thought that was bad enough it wasn't until I flew the Lincoln bomber several years later that I found out what REAL noise was like on take off...
It was a test flight following an engine change and the Hudson was a freighter with no seats except for the pilots. About six ground-staff came along for the trip and sat on the floor because there were no seat belts. I was 17 and I remember my ears hurt like hell as no one thought to brief on how to clear our ears. The engine noise on take off was painful as being a freighter all sound-proofing had been removed. If I thought that was bad enough it wasn't until I flew the Lincoln bomber several years later that I found out what REAL noise was like on take off...
Join Date: Feb 2009
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First flight (age3) back from singapore in the mid 50s in a Casavac aircraft as my sister was ill. I think it was a Hastings. Took 5 days flying all day and stopping overnight to allow the stretcher cases to go to hospital. Arrived temporarily deaf! Went back out to Singapore about a year later by troop ship! Next flight was also in singapore in a Beverley a couple of years later then back to the uk in a Brittania.
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Mine was on a Tupolev 104A from Moscow to Leningrad during a school trip to Russia in 1967. The boiled sweet wrappers were still on the floor from the previous flight. It didn't put me off flying though the trip as a whole, which included W&E Berlin, certainly put me off communism. I think the next few flights after that were all in propliners.
My first flight in a light aircraft was while making a film about microlighting in about 1980. If you'd told me that fifteen years late I'd have a share of my own aircraft at the same field (with rather fewer trees in the way) I wouldn't have believed you
My first flight in a light aircraft was while making a film about microlighting in about 1980. If you'd told me that fifteen years late I'd have a share of my own aircraft at the same field (with rather fewer trees in the way) I wouldn't have believed you
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My First Flight
Actually two on the same day, 27 April 1964 1335 for one hour famil in Valetta WJ483 at RAF Hullaviington, pilot was Flt Lt Cousins, then at 1455 another 55min famil in Varsity WF325 pilot was Master Pilot Trezise. I was a 19 year old Pilot Officer trainee navigator. Happy days, finished up spending 31 years flying in the RAF.
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: In front of the fridge, rescuing a trapped can of beer
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My very first flight was in the early 80's, VARIG DC10-30 route FRA-GIG-GRU as SLF.
Until today, one of my best flights ever taken.
Until today, one of my best flights ever taken.
Sedburgh glider at Cosford in 1971. Waited and helped with launches all day in return for a five minute flight.
Second flight was from Cosford again in a Chipmunk. As well as being the first time in a powered aircraft, it was also the first time I got airsick. Aerobatics after lunch wasn't a good idea.
Second flight was from Cosford again in a Chipmunk. As well as being the first time in a powered aircraft, it was also the first time I got airsick. Aerobatics after lunch wasn't a good idea.
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When I was 6 months old making it around March 1956. A flight from Manchester Ringway to Vienna with BEA. Obviously unsure of exact routing or aircraft type but I am told that the hostess (this is 1956 remember, FAs hadn't been invented) changed my nappy for me. 
First flight as recorded in my RAF Form 3822 was in Anson VV 994 ON 25/7/56
Rufforth - Worksop- Rufforth. I wonder what became of VV 994.
Rufforth - Worksop- Rufforth. I wonder what became of VV 994.
FS many thanks for the information. My last mil flight was Hercules XV 196 LYN -Split-LYN. bringing to an end almost 30 happy years on the 'K'.
Is XV 196 still with us ?
Is XV 196 still with us ?
Join Date: Oct 1998
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Northolt > Jersey Aug '48 & v/v BEA Dakota, this was also my Father's 2nd flight. The previous one have been from No. 6 School of Aeronautics, Denham some 30 years previous. He was always annoyed that all training ceased immediately the Armistice was signed but proud to have served in the R.F.C. and a founding member of the "Mob".
My 3rd flight was in a proper Dakota with bench seats along each side and the 1st view of the top of the fluffy stuff. (Horsham St Faith in '54)
1st jet T11 (Stradishall Aug '54) and a Chippy the same day.
1st gliding Swanton Morley VGS under Alfie Warminger (Apr '55).
1st rotary geo-chem work in the Cascades, B.C. (Sept '81)
Of note at some time in my early flights at 2 ANS from TI I must have been driven by Exnomad's elder brother in a Varsity and I certainly was driven about in a NF 10 by another Ppruner if I could find the original photos of everyone grrr http://www.pprune.org/jet-blast/2660...ml#post2100246 DON'T WORK!
My 3rd flight was in a proper Dakota with bench seats along each side and the 1st view of the top of the fluffy stuff. (Horsham St Faith in '54)
1st jet T11 (Stradishall Aug '54) and a Chippy the same day.
1st gliding Swanton Morley VGS under Alfie Warminger (Apr '55).
1st rotary geo-chem work in the Cascades, B.C. (Sept '81)
Of note at some time in my early flights at 2 ANS from TI I must have been driven by Exnomad's elder brother in a Varsity and I certainly was driven about in a NF 10 by another Ppruner if I could find the original photos of everyone grrr http://www.pprune.org/jet-blast/2660...ml#post2100246 DON'T WORK!
