My search for a suitable aircraft to fly has continued. I had viewed one near Yeovil but, at the time, I didn't have a medical signed off or flight test completed. I thus had to let the aircraft slip through my fingers. Another, located in Lincolnshire seemed to be just what I wanted. An all-day journey was thus arranged. All went very well until I decided to climb into the cockpit. Either it was too small, or I was too large. Before my cancer I had been just over 6 feet high. Damage to my spine resulted in a loss of about 2 inches but my leg length would have remained the same. Never-the-less my leg length was too much for this aircraft - a Druine Turbulent. A similar aircraft G-APNZ, which is currently undergoing restoration by the Derby Aero Club, was once flown by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. He is understood to be 6ft 2ins. It seems unlikely that I will be able to modify the Lincolnshire aircraft to suit my needs. Perhaps the cartoon on its tail, whilst identifying its French design, also says something of the size of its intended pilot !
In the meantime I have been advised that "a certain other aircraft might become available". Let's hope. I've also been researching where I might keep an aircraft and have today been made a firm offer. Sounds promising.
This month's thought (by Leonardo da Vinci):
For once you have tasted flight
you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards,
you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards,
for there you have been and there you will long to return.
Keep well and KBO
Stephen
