Who else still alive has ever flown in a commercially-operated biplane?
In 1946 (I think!) my father and I flew back to the mainland (Speke) from the Isle of Man on a scheduled service in a Dragon Rapide. So much better than the boat from Fleetwood that took us (but not our breakfasts!) to the IoM
Like others a pleasure flight in a DH Dragon Rapide, mine was in 1979 from Biggin Hill and included local sights like Chartwell. My Mother, who has only recently died (September) had flown in a BEA example from Lands End to the Scillies c1957.
IIRC they remained in service on that route until the S61 helicopter arrived in 1964. That would be well within my lifetime.
IIRC they remained in service on that route until the S61 helicopter arrived in 1964. That would be well within my lifetime.
Marshall Airways used a Rapide for joy flights from Bankstown airport in Sydney (Oz) in the 1950s. I got to do a few when I was a little guy because my dad and Sid Marshall were good mates. They also used a DC2, VH-CDZ and rarely an Avro Anson, VH-ASM. I can't recall the rego of the Rapide.
My first ever flight was in a Dragon Rapide ca 1960. It was being used to take female Air Cadets on a flight experience, but was a civil aircraft. There was a spare seat and I was offered it because I happened to be hanging around looking at aircraft 
I used to work for a man called Harry Patterson, who for several years operated pleasure flights from Speke. In addition to the usual pleasure flights, we would make trips to Southport Beach, Squires Gate and once to Baginton.
I used to work for a man called Harry Patterson, who for several years operated pleasure flights from Speke. In addition to the usual pleasure flights, we would make trips to Southport Beach, Squires Gate and once to Baginton.
ConnieLover,
You asked, "Who else still alive has ever...", so since I'm still alive, I'll chime in.
I was given a Stearman ride by my kids some years ago at the first outfit on the list that follows. I got to see what my dad, who flew Stearmans and Wacos in US Airmy Air Corp flight training in WW2, thought was so fantastic.
These operations are relatively common here. The Google produced a few just in the eastern USA. The company in St. Simons Island, GA, must be pretty popular as we see them frequently when there:
Home - Biplane Rides Over Atlanta
https://oceancityplanerides.com/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...a_Georgia.html
Biplane Rides | Myrtle Beach Air Tours
You asked, "Who else still alive has ever...", so since I'm still alive, I'll chime in.
I was given a Stearman ride by my kids some years ago at the first outfit on the list that follows. I got to see what my dad, who flew Stearmans and Wacos in US Airmy Air Corp flight training in WW2, thought was so fantastic.
These operations are relatively common here. The Google produced a few just in the eastern USA. The company in St. Simons Island, GA, must be pretty popular as we see them frequently when there:
Home - Biplane Rides Over Atlanta
https://oceancityplanerides.com/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...a_Georgia.html
Biplane Rides | Myrtle Beach Air Tours
Just to set the record straight on the Classic Wings Rapides at Duxford, there are actually three in the fleet plus four Tiger Moths. The Rapides are G-AIDL and G-AIYR, both in military colour schemes and G-AKIF which is dark blue overall with a white stripe. This could very easily be the Rapide that the poster of post *23 flew in from IOM to Speke as it was operated by Manx Airlines back in the day.
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East African Airways Rapides
My Dad was an ATCO in East Africa from 1954 to 1966, amongst his various postings was Paradise sorry Zanzibar and had various flights in East African Airways Rapides in the period 1955 to 1960 mainly to Dar, Tanga and once to Pemba
!957 had a trip in one out of Blackpool - think it was a 'freebie' as Dad was doing some post Bournemouth training there
Also in '58? had a flight in a Caspair Rapide out of Entebbe (Caspereuthus was a friend of Dads)
De Havilland DH-89A Dragon Rapide - Caspair | Aviation Photo #0128028 | Airliners.net
PZU - Out of Africa (Retired)
!957 had a trip in one out of Blackpool - think it was a 'freebie' as Dad was doing some post Bournemouth training there
Also in '58? had a flight in a Caspair Rapide out of Entebbe (Caspereuthus was a friend of Dads)
De Havilland DH-89A Dragon Rapide - Caspair | Aviation Photo #0128028 | Airliners.net
PZU - Out of Africa (Retired)
Sightseeing flight from Lands end (airfield) around Lands end (the place) in 1977. Dragon Rapide G-AIYR. It was simply a sightseeing flight that happened to be operated by a biplane.
Then did a sightseeing flight over London from Biggin Hill in about 1982 in another Rapide and a flight from Old Warden the same year in a Tiger Moth, but they were mainly for the sake of flying in an old aircraft.
Then did a sightseeing flight over London from Biggin Hill in about 1982 in another Rapide and a flight from Old Warden the same year in a Tiger Moth, but they were mainly for the sake of flying in an old aircraft.
Last edited by Dr Jekyll; 12th Nov 2017 at 18:43.
Thanks, Buster11! That was a very speedy reply! Wow..... Your experiences are incredible and wonderful! What did you think of the Tiger Moth as far as bow easy she was to fly? (SLF here, so do not know anything about that, other than what I read on the web.)
I asked my question because I had no way of knowing how unusual what I had gotten to do was, and because I like to read stories of what others have gotten to do.
I asked my question because I had no way of knowing how unusual what I had gotten to do was, and because I like to read stories of what others have gotten to do.
The Tiger seemed rather more docile in spins (apparently not taught any more for PPLs) and needed a lighter touch than the Maggie. Taxying required constant nose swinging to get any idea of what lay ahead and the lack of brakes made pre-planning important, as I discovered to my cost when taxying back at Croydon one day and turning both downwind and slightly downhill.
I didn't have many hours on either aircraft but don't recall any special difficulties, though my flying consisted of sedate plodding rather than aerobatting either aircraft.
Can't claim to have flown in a biplane.
But around 1957 at Renfrew I was surprised when DH-86 G-ACZP appeared on a flight from the Isle of Man.
There really can't be many people left who have flown in one of these.
But around 1957 at Renfrew I was surprised when DH-86 G-ACZP appeared on a flight from the Isle of Man.
There really can't be many people left who have flown in one of these.
Last edited by renfrew; 12th Nov 2017 at 14:36. Reason: more
My first ever flight was a joyride in a Dragon Rapide out of Ramsgate Airport in the late 50s. My Dad paid 7/6d each for me, my brother and sister - a sum he could barely afford. About £8 each in today's money.
I remember the smell of the leather seats and I remember being irritated by the lack of symmetry due to there being only one air-driven generator, on the upper left wing!
About ten years ago, I chartered a Dominie in NZ and took my wife and daughter on a nostalgia trip. Significantly more expensive!
I remember the smell of the leather seats and I remember being irritated by the lack of symmetry due to there being only one air-driven generator, on the upper left wing!
About ten years ago, I chartered a Dominie in NZ and took my wife and daughter on a nostalgia trip. Significantly more expensive!
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Back in the mid 90's a company in Cuba operated AN-2s on intra-island flights - probably still do. Bought a T shirt with AeroTaxi Cuba printed on it. Flew Varedaro to (IIRC) Trinidad on the south coast. About an hour each way.
They let pax sit in the right hand seat for a little while - I was lucky enough to get the RH Seat descending back into Varedaro on the return leg. Part of the 'enjoyment' was to fly low level off shore down the peninsula which was interesting. Kept sitting there until what seemed like 1000' on final when the Co came and tapped me on the shoulder saying something along the lines of 'I need my seat now'...
They let pax sit in the right hand seat for a little while - I was lucky enough to get the RH Seat descending back into Varedaro on the return leg. Part of the 'enjoyment' was to fly low level off shore down the peninsula which was interesting. Kept sitting there until what seemed like 1000' on final when the Co came and tapped me on the shoulder saying something along the lines of 'I need my seat now'...
First airline flight was in a DH Dragon Rapide of Jersey Airlines from Exeter to Guernsey in 1958 (or it may have been '57). If this is flying, I thought, this is definitely what I want to do....and I did. I'd been building model aircraft for some years and this trip to Guernsey and back was the icing on the cake.
Mistrust in Management
DH Rapids in the 50ties after an air show at I think RAF Gaydon. About 6 or 7 years old. I was quite shocked to see the Capt. was a lady! Corse in those days we were all brought up to believe that men did men jobs ans wimen did the grub an washing.
An excellent circuit followed by a greaser - then I was totally ignored by the lady in the left seat despite my obvious admiration. I learned so much so early.
Regards Exeng
An excellent circuit followed by a greaser - then I was totally ignored by the lady in the left seat despite my obvious admiration. I learned so much so early.
Regards Exeng
If you're visiting New Zealand and wish to take a flight in a civilianised DH.89B Dominie, head to Te Anau and Airscapade Affairs where you can take a scenic flight over Fiordland National Park for NZ$195.
Dominie
Dominie