Blimey. How fast are you going? Do you get a running commentary from the pilot? What was that maneuver when it all went nbsiqe pomu at 1:11? How long were you up for? I'.m guessing the trip was Biggin-Dover-Biggin.
Couldn't tell you how fast, but I can tell you that you feel
everything in this aircraft. In communication with the pilot at all times other than during take-off and landing. That maneuver was
us peeling off from the chase plane in which were my sister, her husband and a couple of my friends. a victory roll. After which I was given control of the aircraft and I flew us down to Cuckmere Haven. It is incredibly sensitive to controls, and you can operate it with literally just two fingers. The trip should've lasted 45 minutes, in reality we were up for something like 55 minutes.(The shortest 55 minutes of my life).
When we reached Cuckmere Haven, the Commander took over the controls and turned left. Keen students will have spotted Beachy Head lighthouse just under the left wingtip. We turned around just before we reached Eastbourne and whilst passing Beachy Head lighthouse for a second time the Commander executed a victory roll. Back inland via Cuckmere Haven I once again took the controls and flew us back to Biggin Hill, under instruction from the Commander, where he executed a surprisingly smooth landing. We were then given a tour around the workshops (It's the largest Spitfire restoration facility in the world) and were invited to avail ourselves of the lounge area to stay and observe as much as we wished. At which point we broke out the tinned G&Ts, Dianne Abbot stylee. We were there at ten in the morning, there was about half an hour of safety video to be watched, I think I was in the air at around 11:00, and the taxi didn't come to collect us until 14:15.
I have to say with out any hesitation whatsoever, that this is the most exhilerating thing I have ever done in my life. Way, way beyond any expectations I may've had, and worth every penny.
I showed the footage to my client this morning to which she commented that it is nice to have these once in a lifetime experiences.
To which I replied by asking 'What do you mean, once?'
I have every intention of repeating the experience.