By Mark Spruce

“Oh I have slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter silvered wings”. So goes the first line of “High Flight” written by pilot officer Gillespie Magee in 1940. I wonder how many men of my generation, (“baby boomers”) have ever fantasised about being a fighter pilot at some time or other. Whether it was Stamford Tuck, Johnnie Johnson or even the comical Flashhart and the glorious 20 minutes from Blackadder Goes Forth.

This summer I got as close as I am ever likely to get to realising that common fantasy. My wife bought me a flight in a 1940 Tiger Moth; a single engined bi plane that flew from High Wycombe Air Park in Buckinghamshire. Driving down the M40 with my family I couldn’t really imagine what I was going to experience. I remembered a story my father often told me when I was young about how he had once been taken up in a Gloucester Gladiator biplane and done a loop the loop over “Gib” and how frightening it was!

We found the air park and subsequently were directed to a far corner, past the conning tower, the various new buildings, the rows of single engined modern planes and small helicopters that were constantly coming and going. On the far side of the hangers was a scruffy wooden hut with the sign “Tigerfly” painted above the doorway. The grass grew long outside the hut and just to the side sat a bright yellow, twin seater, biplane…..my adventure.

My pilot, Martin, arrived shortly after on a large motorbike, (very in keeping I thought). After introductions and pre flight checks it was time to get into the front seat of the plane. I was handed a fleece lined, leather flying jacket and a canvas helmet and goggles. This whole experience was becoming more real by the minute. I think the words “nervous anticipation” would best describe my feelings as I climbed up onto the lower wing and lowered myself into the small front seat. After being securely buckled in Martin explained how we would be climbing to 3,000 feet. Once there he would ask me through the intercom if I still wanted to do some aerobatics and I was to indicate by either a thumb up or thumb down signal. At this point he also helpfully pointed out the sick bag that was tucked conveniently by my side and asked that if possible I would use it rather than make a mess of his plane!. I think my stomach tightened slightly at this point but before I could think too much about it, it was “contact, chocks away” and we were taxing to the far side of the grass runway.

As the engine revved and we awaited our take off slot I looked along the wings and noticed all the screws, (very small screws!) which held the wing struts together. Oh well here we go. The engine speed increased and in no time at all we lifted off from the runway and were quickly ascending into the blue sunny sky. The ground quickly dropped away as I looked down on High Wycombe, then the cars trailing along the M40 and in the distance the languid bends of the river Thames at Marlow. At one point we hit a small air pocket and the plane dropped. A second later my stomach followed and I just hoped I would not let the side down by being sick. After that for the next ten minutes it was time to just take in the spectacular views and enjoy the experience. Yes, in truth it was quite scary being up there in that tiny open cockpit but the feel of the wind on my face, the roar of the engine and the sheer adrenalin surge of being “ red leader one” more than overcame the feeling.

I was relaxing into the flight and my fantasies when Martins voice suddenly came through in my ear, “ are you ready for a loop the loop?” Well it was now or never and there was no way I could back out now. I nervously stuck my thumb up for him to see and suddenly I heard the engine revs increase. “Never fly straight and level in the combat area for more than 30 seconds” I heard Richard Shaw’s voice in my head quoting that great line from “The Battle of Britain” film. I also suddenly understood what my father had been trying to explain to me all those years ago. The next thing I knew the ground had disappeared from in front of me and I was looking at sky, then more sky and yet more until the ground re appeared below me.
I was gripping my safety harness and smiling inanely. That was just totally and utterly brilliant. It was everything I expected and more. “Do you want to do some more?” came Martins voice over the intercom. Without hesitating my thumb went up again. We climbed higher into some thin clouds. I could feel their cold moisture on my face as I looked down on the Chiltern Hills 3,000 feet below, and then we went over again.

Two more loop the loops and a barrel role finished off the aerobatics and it was time to head back to the aerodrome. What an incredible experience. Without doubt it is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. For 20 minutes, (a glorious 20 minutes!) I got to be a WWII fighter pilot and “ dance the skies on laughter silvered wings”. That was the best birthday present ever and I cannot recommend it highly enough to all middle-aged men! I’m also proud to say the sick bag stayed safely in its wrapper!

The Package

An open dated gift voucher valid for a 9 month period:
20, 30 or 60 minute Flight Times
Briefings
Tea/Coffee
Insurance
Signed Flight Certificate on Completion
Valid at UK Nationwide locations