aviation

My humble claim to Aviation fame came in 1987 when I began work in the Aviation industry for a maintenance company based on Stansted Airport in Essex. Prior to this I had been wholly employed in industrial manufacturing- specifically in Instrumentation and Electronics as, in fact I still am today.

For me the term 'Aviation' lights up what it is all about in my mind- FLYING AEROPLANES. Of all the Aviation activities of the hobbyist- from spotting Aircraft registrations to simply taking pictures of them at airshows, flying them for me gives a real experience that no simulation or computer game can touch- sheer wonder, alarm, glee, tension and satisfaction truly encountered.

Please take into account that I am not in the least courageous, a long way fom decisive and distanced by a million miles from anything resembling intelligent! I also have a reputation of getting geographically lost in anything more complicated than a corridor! Despite this I am a fully qualified Pilot- very serious fun with a mere 170+ hours under my belt (a flea bite in aviation experience terms) at about one hundred pounds an hour we are talking today, the tune of about seventeen thousand pounds worth!

I learned to fly at an airfield called ANDREWSFIELD in Essex, fortunately this is relatively near to where I live and I have also flown from EARLS COLNE airfield nearby. Following on from the private pilot's licence I also undertook training to the conclusion of an instrument meteorological conditions rating and a night rating.

'Fear of flying' is one of the commonest phobias known and I believe each and every one of us has at least one phobia of some kind or another, possibly in deep, something that we obviously avoid at most costs (or all costs)! For many it is probably creepy crawlies or spiders, for most it's probably the dentist. A recently conducted survey in the states, however, found the most common phobias amoungst men were..

Approaching and talking to a beautiful female stranger
& Conducting a speech.

Since we are born to recognise only two fears- (fear of falling, and fear of loud noises), all other fears (or phobias), are, in fact learned, so they can also, therefore be 'unlearned' too (or overcome).

Flying is the safest form of transport, yet even in this modern day with excellently engineered and expertly maintained aircraft, flying is still perceived as a dangerous practice. In truth if there is a hazard involved, it's the human rather than the mechanical element that puts it there. No aircraft has yet been proved to have characteristics such as complacency, carelessness or pride.

Recreational flying is the best flying of all because it never turns into a "job". No one tells you when or where. You go when you want to and land when you are tired, just as a true 'Captain' or 'Manager' should. The best thing is that no one is trying to kill you while you fly,- unlike military flying perhaps, when you have to be aware that you can be called up at any time, and people may just want to shoot you out of the sky. I guess Civilian flying is not as exciting, but at least no one is shooting at you. It is just you and your machine, dancing across the sky. It just does not get any better than that.

So why have I included a page on the above on my website? For that matter what on earth does the term 'Aviation' actually mean?

If human earthbound creatures were to be asked- "What would be the ultimate dream?" Many would answer- "To FLY, to escape the earth and dance freely amongst the clouds- to soar high in the blue sky and gaze upon the earth from above!"

Despite the fact that three-quarters of the U.K.population has never ever flown, flying is a means of transport and very much a way of life- whether we like it or not. An old airline Captain was once asked to sum up the art of flying in just a few words, he said- "Ninety-five percent of the time I am bored, the other five percent, I am just plain scared!"

If you were born on an aircraft today and spent your entire life on it, while it was operating, it would statistically be over 100 years before you were involved in an accident, and even then you would probably walk away from it.

Flying is fun and I believe it is one of the greatest experiences of life- but it's difficult to convince someone that doesn't believe this- put it this way, if you 'feel unwell' on a boat it's normally because of the sea swell- if you 'feel unwell' on an aircraft you're probably scared of dying!

Certainly in the time that I myself have been flying, most people either question the ability to aviate or my sanity for wanting to! The fact is that unlike the 'ritual' of everyday driving, flying calls for an even greater degree of self-discipline and consideration for others. This is known as airmanship- this does not mean being 'stuffy' or humorless, but it does mean thorough preparation, meticulous checking, careful planning, practice, and above all, knowing one's own limitations. There is certainly no room for 'cowboys' in the sky!

If you've ever been lonely, consider yourself on your first solo night flight in the dark. Alone above a city- for me it was Norwich. Dark, very dark indeed, everyone had retired that clear night. The black hole of Calcutta was light by comparisom, a plague victim could not experience a greater feeling of isolation, i'm sure!

Departing that City to 2000 feet of darkness for some 10-15 miles, until it disappeared out of sight! Speaking metophorically the prospect of being 'hung in the morning' concentrates the mind wonderfully. For once you get things right, very right indeed- No mistakes at all!

visit the Aviation safety network database, where you can link to actual Cockpit voice recordings of major Airliner accidents

visit the CAA here and do some flight planning with reference to the official publications

All about 'Black boxes'; Flight Data Recorders!

Over the years I have enjoyed giving pleasure flights over the local area and sometimes visit local airports and airfields with friends or family. Flying in a light aircraft is REAL flying, unlike transportation as a passenger on an airliner, with, (if you're lucky), a window seat (about 12 inches wide). In a light aircraft you can really look around and enjoy the scenery and experience the wonder of the sky.

If you have not yet experienced a light aircraft pleasure flight, then you really should call or visit your local airfield to see what it's all about! A 'trial flying lesson' is relatively inexpensive and will even enable you to 'feel the controls' with a very experienced instructor. Remember that with a 'trial flying lesson' there is no obligation whatsoever to pursue a PPL, but if like me, you do catch the bug, (it's very contageous), you can 'pay as you go.' You will find that amazingly, too, 'student pilots' are rarely treated the way 'so called experts' treat learners in other fields- with out and out disdain. Alternatively..put a nod in my direction and I guarantee I'll bite your hand off..!

Unlike quite a few of the elitist institutions (golf clubs, country clubs, etc). You will find a flying club most democratic. Race, colour and creed don't enter into it. Neither does sponsorship, blackballing, politics or any other discriminatory measures designed to keep 'undesirables' out. This is what I liked most of all. Flying unlike sport is not just an 'attitude of mind.' The people in this world are made up of a pretty diverse bunch. Company directors, plumbers, solicitors, taxi drivers, fast food waiters. It doesn't matter. As months go by, you will learn from them, as they will learn from you! In a 'good club' or 'team' you always know that you are not in competition with anyone else, it really means the way you make out is the only thing that counts.

Just consider this delicious thought and savour it for a moment. In just 43 hours from now you could be there. Conjure up the vision of yourself in the left-hand seat, heatset placed over your banet, and you in total control. Maybe there's even a trimly built lady (or man, depending on your predilection) sitting alongside, who's marvelling at your every authoritative gesture!

Forget it! Realistically, it will be quite a long time before you are expert enough, or even brave enough, to do so much as unglue your eyes from the cockpit instruments- let alone your hands. It takes more than money to get a PPL. Perhaps had it been possible I would have employed a bribable instuctor. No such luck, needless to say.

Current: The Mike Cutmore Website!