I took a flying lesson at Barton Aerodrome on Saturday at LAC Flying School Ltd. It was a birthday present from the family. The family waved me off from the control tower and watched me land. The weather was good, a nice sunny day with little wind, so it was a relatively smooth flight. The last time I flew was at Cranfield in 2015 and it was a clear, dry blustery day so it was a little bumpy then.

It was a 50 minute flight including taxi time, so I had about 40 minutes in the air according to the flight tracker. I flew in a Cessna 150, registration G-AVER, which amused us all, as change the V for a T and you have my surname! It meant that the family could easily pick out the plane. Sadly, there does not appear to be a registration G-ATER that the flight tracker can find.

I only managed to take a couple of photographs while we were coming into land. The best one is shown here. The rest of the time after take-off, I was trying to fly the plane with Phil Dobson’s patient instruction. I think I got better on the way back as the flight tracker shows!

What also made an impression was the distance we travelled in a few minutes of flight would have taken a couple of hours driving on the ground. Especially with all the traffic. It makes me wonder if flying by light aircraft is a better alternative to long distance driving to some destinations. Especially if you get a free flying lesson on the way and less traffic! ☺ Maybe there is a business there…?

Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Flight instructor Phil Dobson was fantastic. The office were very friendly, even loaning my granddaughter a headset for a very nice photograph while they were there for the check in. The office also suggested the best viewing position was the control tower to watch the take-off and landing.

In the meantime, while having all this fun, still here to assist companies and of course developing Troodon®.

I will not leave it so long before another lesson! ☺