Up up and away

[MangoFury]

Phantom at Tangmere

[Red27]

Some of you may recall that Paul had a helicopter lesson a few weeks ago. Got him one of those voucher thingies for Xmas, so that he could pick when he wanted to do it. "Peterborough Business Airport" was the venue. About 20 minutes drive from us. Sounds grand, it's actually not a lot more than a tarmac strip with a small office building next to it, alongside a countrified B-road winding between two typical fenland arable fields. Blink and you'd missed it if you were passing - except that there's just a few pieces of wire between the end of the runway and the road

Months went by, and the weather continued to be poop (yes, I actually typed poop then, saved the forum software the job of converting it). I was getting worried that Paul was never going to "lift off", let alone in decent weather. It just wasn't worth getting booked in during the first half of the year! I shouldn't have worried. The day we picked turned out to be a stonker. I insisted we went in the cars, as I was hoping there might be a photo op. He didn't think there'd be any chance of getting the cars near the runway or the action - I suspected better. It was a fab. He loved every minute of it. And it all happened, 'cos here's the photo.

Conington Airfield Sep 2012_226.jpg (61.21 KiB) Viewed 19791 times

If you look closely, you can see there are a couple of hands up at the window. They belong to the instructor chappy. This was to demonstrate that Paul was flying the 'copter all by himself.

[steve m]

mmm,

or the auto pilot was on

Steve,

ps got my own back for you calling me bent!

[DJ.]

Great photo Linda

Duncan

[Red27]

Your car Steve, your car.... Well, actually, not your car either

So, here's another couple from me.

Conington Airfield Sep 2012_139.jpg (59.74 KiB) Viewed 19780 times

Conington-Airfield-Sep-2012_132-2.jpg (79.07 KiB) Viewed 19780 times

[Pistol]

Linda has finally found her comera! Last picture is a corker, like that alot

Top tip - With those gift things, next time look at the various things on offer for inspiration and find out where they run it from then phone them direct. My dad did a flying lesson out of Southend through Red Letter, I went back and had twice as much time for the same price.

[zxr400]

thanks for that pete i want to do it again it was the best ever buzz the crop spraying bit was a massive rush mind you he flew it doing that need a few more lessons,the guy is a right laff he reckoned 40 hours i could do my licence and go on my own god help you all think i will have it in yellow with a black strip

[Tony C]

Linda,

The picture with the heli in the background is great, but is the instructor really "demonstrating that Paul was flying the 'copter all by himself", or is he trying to open the door and jump out

Tony

[Red27]

Actually, he was as happy as Larry - a complete nutter. I had been very worried for the poor guy beforehand, but he seemed relieved that he had someone on board who was up for a bit of fun. Paul definitely got more than my money's worth out of it , I was hanging around on the ground for some time over the alloted span.