Christchurch and District Model Flying Club
 

Diary of a flier

the penultimate episode

At last Leonard is ready to take his A test. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now...

Today is the day which I take my A certificate. My Son Crispin took his a few weeks ago. How it is that a; youth who can hardly get out of bed in a straight line can control a fast plane so well is beyond me. I am a man of great intelligence but he learned faster and better than me. When the certificate came through the post Clarissa my Wife was so pleased that she had it framed and hung on the lounge wall.

Now its my turn. Walter who had arranged it for me introduced me to the Examiner, who I noticed to my horror is the Model Shop owner who confuses me every time I go in there. Good morning he said and we shook hands. I went through the safety checks on the plane and did a range check. Switch it off and come and sit down he said. He then asked me some damn fool questions about propellers and radio frequencies which I answered easily. Now, he told me, we come to the flying.

We went out to the flight line. There was no- one out there. He told me so do my take off and landing first. This threw me a bit because I expected to do the square etc first. But I am well know for my steady spirit and did as he asked. I took off, came in to land and as asked overshot went round again and landed. I taxied back and took off. I thought the landing was pretty good. I would not call myself a lucky lander. Walter always seems to have lucky landings not so me but this one was good.

Just then a Helicopter started up on my left and someone shouted taking off on my right. He then proceeded to do aerobatics right in front of us and only a few yards away. You had better do your flying further out shouted the examiner. We could hardly hear ourselves above the noise. So I did the square keeping well away from the copter and the stunt man. There was a bit of a wind but I managed to use the rudder and keep it fairly square. Now the figure of eight he shouted. I started as Walter had taught me right in front of us did the left hand downwind circle crossed in front of us and started on the upwind leg when horror ofnhorrors the engine stopped.

I thought of a very rude word. I have failed I thought, that engine goes like a clock and now it has let me down. I was fed up. Deadstick I shouted, I know you are supposed to fly in straight and crash land in the heather. Blow that I thought I have failed anyway why should I break the plane as well. I put the nose down and set about a sort of swoop turn which I hoped would land me on the runway. Just then the stuntman shouted and there was a loud zonk as his plane smacked into the runway. I continued my swoop in a sharp turn and lined it up with the runway. Then I could see

that there was wreckage in the way so I adjusted cleared the wreckage, and put it down well on the runway. There was even a scattered round of applause from the spectators. Feeling very fed up. I put down the transmitter and went to pick up the plane. Failed I knew but not by my fault. I returned to pick up the transmitter, and found the examiner had it in his hand, he held out the other hand well done you have passed he said. But said I the figure of eight. I know he said but the A test is a test to see if you can fly safely. You had so many distractions and problems that many people would have panicked and crashed. Well done

There was great rejoicing at the flight line and many people came to congratulate me. I determined to say nothing of this as at home. Wait for the certificate hang it in my study and see if anyone noticed it. But this was not to be. Crispin arrived home just after me and was full; of it. You passed the A did he said well done Not may old people can do that. Clarrissa said I expect thy make it easier for older people. No he said and then recounted the whole episode. How did you know I asked? Walter sent a text to Michael and me, and we phoned him after School. Clarissa glanced at the certificate on the wall, Its alright I said mine can go in the study. It certainly will not she replied it will hang there with Crispin’s. If I have two such clever men we will have steak for Dinner tonight. And Champaign enquired Crispin. And Champaign I replied.

It was a happy meal. The two people I love most but seldom tell. Cripsin said something that made Clarrissa laugh and I caught a glimpse of the Girl I had married. Crispin had turned , at least for now, from a sullen teenager to a fine articulate young man. In a fit of emotion I grabbed my glass and said a toast, to us. They looked somewhat startled and responded. To us they both said. Then Crispin of all people said, to you Dad, and Clarrissa said yes my dear Leonard to you.

I am not a man given to tears but as they drank I had a job to hold them back. It was a Golden moment at the end of a Golden day.

As you may have gathered, Leonard has only one story left to tell. I believe it involves a Spitfire...Ed

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