Description
Object description
British civilian flying instructor and commercial pilot in GB, 1988-2007
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Esher, GB, 1959-1982: family; early interest in aviation; education; joining Air Squadron as social member at Liverpool University; research in Marine Biology. Recollections of period learning to fly and as flying instructor in GB, 1982-1990: reasons for learning to fly; decision to become flying instructor, 1982; pattern of flying training; flying Piper Cherokee; controlling aircraft; need to build up hours to gain commercial licence; initial problems landing; landing aircraft.
REEL 2 Continues: flying in Pitts Special aerobatic aircraft; instrument flying; reaction to soloing; attitude to flying; joining flying club in Blackpool; work with freight firm using Douglas DC 3 Dakotas; character of Douglas C 47 Dakota; starting Douglas DC 3 Dakota; learning to become instructor, 1988; language used in radio transmissions.
REEL 3 Continues: attitude towards instructing; question of role of women pilots in male dominated profession. Recollections of period as commercial pilot in GB, 1990-2007: process of becoming commercial pilot; instrument rating; cost of gaining commercial license in GB; incident of being caught in low cloud; flying Douglas DC 3 Dakota on freight runs to Belfast; background obtaining employment as commercial pilot, 1991.
REEL 4 Continues: start of commercial flying from Squire's Gate, Blackpool; training on Fokker F27 Friendship; character of Fokker F27 Friendship; use of simulator; preference for being freight pilot; character of British Aerospace ATP; joining Channel Express, 1997; attitude to flying on European routes; loading freight; responsibility of aircrew for freight or passengers; character of British Aerospace Airbus 1800; difference between passenger and freight versions of Boeing 747; long distance routes flown; flying Boeing 747; character of typical flight including preparations for flight, weather checks.
REEL 5 Continues: pre-flight checks on load and routes; pre- flight checks on aircraft; preparations for starting engines; taking off; reasons for delays; use of English language as international standard for air traffic control; use of maps of airfields; activities during flight; landing on runway; taxiing to stand; post flight activities; aspects of carrying freight.
REEL 6 Continues: check cargo loads; sleeping facilities on board; regulation of flying hours; stopovers in India; effect on personal relationships of flying career; attitude to flying into airports in GB; incident when undercarriage would not lower on Fokker F27 Friendship; landing on runways; flight in Avro Lancaster in Canada; opinion of Avro Lancaster; flight in Supermarine Spitfire; attitude to criticism of Bomber Command and Guy Gibson; contact with Second World War aircrew.