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**Flying * Jodels * Ski-ing * Philosophy * Wine * Woodwork**

	Interests
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My interest in flying began in childhood with the history of flight and model-making and has been a big part of my life for the past twenty years. In my early twenties, I met Steve Budd who was to become a good friend. Steve had just completed a PPL at Three Counties Flying Club, Blackbushe airfield and soon I was invited on trips initially locally and then later to the Channel Islands and France. A memorable trip was to the Scilly Isles when unfortunately we suffered a slight accident in a Cessna 172 and had to return by helicopter and train back to Hampshire! I enjoyed these early exiting trips and wondered if I would ever be able to afford flying lessons and also master the challenge of obtaining a PPL. My chance came in 1983 when I was 29. I had by then established myself as a free-lance design engineer and had finances available to undertake flying lessons. I was introduced to British Airways Flying Club by a neighbor and remember turning up one Saturday morning in January 1983 at Wycombe Airpark, were I was introduced to my instructor Alan Brain by the then CFI John Barker. All that year I worked towards my PPL for which I passed the general flying test the day after my 30^th birthday in December 14^th 1983. In the following year I got together with four others from the club and we purchased a rather tired Piper Warrior PA28-151. The aircraft, G-BEFA, was in a tired state, but slowly over the next year it was refurbished. I was associated with this aircraft for the next three years and cut my teeth flying around the UK and to the near continent and also completed an IMC and night rating. In 1986 we sold G-BEFA and purchased a PA28-201 Piper Arrow from the USA. This was registered G-BNEE. I flew this aircraft for two years and undertook a trip to the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean in the summer of 1986. My flying came to the first of a few breaks in 1987 when I sold my share in G-BNEE to release capital in order to study for a Masters degree. This was followed by a move to the USA and I continued my flying at Rockford Airport (Ilinois) and also at Freeport Airfield. Their I flew mainly an Archer and also a gorgeous Piper PA32-301 Saratoga. On returning to the UK in 1990 I got caught up in the economic recession and gave up flying until 1993. In 1996 I became associated with Enstone Flying Club and I bought a share in G-AXUK a wonderful DR1050 Jodel. This aircraft, a tailwheel classic was to create a deep interest in these wonderful French aircraft which has remained for the last ten years. In 2000 the group split up and we formed a new group around G-AYDZ.
Other Interests These include ski-ing in the winter, walking in the summer and drinking vast quantities of red wine all year round! I am also keen on traveling and in 2002 I undertook a seven month around the world trip visiting South America, New Zealand, Austrailia, Tazmania, Southern Africa and East Africa. My serious reading revolves around philosophy and the history of science and technology. For light reading I like such things as Alexander Kents Bolito novels.

Interests

World Trip 2002

Flying

My interest in flying began in childhood with the history of flight and model-making and has been a big part of my life for the past twenty years.

In my early twenties, I met Steve Budd who was to become a good friend. Steve had just completed a PPL at Three Counties Flying Club, Blackbushe airfield and soon I was invited on trips initially locally and then later to the Channel Islands and France. A memorable trip was to the Scilly Isles when unfortunately we suffered a slight accident in a Cessna 172 and had to return by helicopter and train back to Hampshire! I enjoyed these early exiting trips and wondered if I would ever be able to afford flying lessons and also master the challenge of obtaining a PPL.

My chance came in 1983 when I was 29. I had by then established myself as a free-lance design engineer and had finances available to undertake flying lessons. I was introduced to British Airways Flying Club by a neighbor and remember turning up one Saturday morning in January 1983 at Wycombe Airpark, were I was introduced to my instructor Alan Brain by the then CFI John Barker. All that year I worked towards my PPL for which I passed the general flying test the day after my 30^th birthday in December 14^th 1983.

In the following year I got together with four others from the club and we purchased a rather tired Piper Warrior PA28-151. The aircraft, G-BEFA, was in a tired state, but slowly over the next year it was refurbished. I was associated with this aircraft for the next three years and cut my teeth flying around the UK and to the near continent and also completed an IMC and night rating.

In 1986 we sold G-BEFA and purchased a PA28-201 Piper Arrow from the USA. This was registered G-BNEE. I flew this aircraft for two years and undertook a trip to the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean in the summer of 1986.

My flying came to the first of a few breaks in 1987 when I sold my share in G-BNEE to release capital in order to study for a Masters degree. This was followed by a move to the USA and I continued my flying at Rockford Airport (Ilinois) and also at Freeport Airfield. Their I flew mainly an Archer and also a gorgeous Piper PA32-301 Saratoga.

On returning to the UK in 1990 I got caught up in the economic recession and gave up flying until 1993. In 1996 I became associated with Enstone Flying Club and I bought a share in G-AXUK a wonderful DR1050 Jodel. This aircraft, a tailwheel classic was to create a deep interest in these wonderful French aircraft which has remained for the last ten years. In 2000 the group split up and we formed a new group around G-AYDZ.

Other Interests

These include ski-ing in the winter, walking in the summer and drinking vast quantities of red wine all year round!

I am also keen on traveling and in 2002 I undertook a seven month around the world trip visiting South America, New Zealand, Austrailia, Tazmania, Southern Africa and East Africa.

My serious reading revolves around philosophy and the history of science and technology. For light reading I like such things as Alexander Kents Bolito novels.

Last changed: 05/06/2004, 12:55:32