Looking Up
One of my favourite family stories is that, as a young child, I was terrified of aeroplanes. Whenever military aircraft flew overhead, I'd run inside to hide. I have no memory of it myself, but my parents still enjoy reminding me how afraid I was.
Somewhere along the way, fear gave way to fascination. Every aircraft overhead became something to watch rather than avoid. I found myself curious about how they flew, how pilots navigated, and what it must feel like to be at the controls.
"Why Don't You Just Go?"
Years later, during a phone call with my dad, he asked a question that would quietly change the course of my life.
"Didn't you always want to learn to fly? Why don't you just go and ask?"
Until that moment, I'd never seriously considered it. Flying always felt like something reserved for other people: too expensive, too complicated, too far out of reach.
My dad saw it differently.
He didn't tell me to enrol. He didn't tell me to become a pilot. He simply suggested that I drive to the local airfield, walk into the flying school, ask a few questions and come home.
It was such a simple suggestion that I ran out of reasons to say no.
One Flight Changed Everything
So I drove to Elstree Aerodrome with no expectations.
I walked into the flying school, introduced myself and asked a few questions. One of the instructors welcomed me, showed me around the aircraft and patiently explained how everything worked. Standing beside that little aeroplane, I could already feel the excitement building.
As I was about to leave, he asked,
"Would you like to go for a trial lesson?"
I replied, "Maybe another day."
He smiled and said,
"Why not today?"
Looking back, I still wonder whether it was excellent salesmanship or simply one of those moments where life quietly changes direction. Whatever the reason, I climbed into the aircraft—and within minutes I understood why pilots talk about catching the flying bug.
A New Perspective
From that first flight, there was no turning back.
Over the following year I spent almost every good-weather week at the airfield, gradually building experience and confidence. Flying has a rhythm of its own; winter fog, low cloud and rain often meant waiting patiently for the right conditions. That only made each lesson more rewarding.
Eventually, I earned my Private Pilot Licence and Radiotelephony Licence.
Becoming a pilot wasn't about ticking something off a bucket list. It changed the way I think. Aviation rewards preparation, discipline and good judgement. Every flight begins long before the engine starts, with careful planning, checklists and understanding the conditions ahead. Those lessons have stayed with me far beyond the cockpit.
LOG ENTRY 08
Learning to Fly
A simple suggestion from my dad led to a trial lesson that changed my life, teaching me lessons about preparation, discipline and confidence that reached far beyond aviation.
