1978. During my first trip to Europe , I am lucky enough to capture this picture of Concorde at Charles de Gaulle Airport , France, from the window of the Air Canada Boeing B-747 that flew us over the Atlantic. The arrival was punctuated by a missed approach due to adverse weather conditions.
1980. I fulfill my dream to fly a plane and sign-up for a private pilot course in St- Jean -sur- Richelieu. My first solo flight , which means without an instructor, takes place on a Grumman Cheetah (C-GVXO) on a sunny day. The landing is smooth and I can’t believe I will finally be able to fly unaccompanied. A dream come true !
As the private pilot course continues, a change in aircraft model is required to practice incipient spins because the Cheetah does not meet the criterias required by flight schools. If we would find ourselves in a complete spin during the exercise, it would take too long to correct. So a Cessna C-150 (C-GGNK) will be used . The transition is strange as students have to suddenly enter a whole new aircraft for this exercise only. Feelings and views are completely different.
All instructors do not have the same luck, one of them and his student eventually experience a real engine failure during take-off on their Cessna C-150. Fortunately, no one is killed or injured . However , the damage is considerable. The photo below shows what is left of the plane.
(Next story: Accidental night flying…without night rating).
For other real life stories as a pilot, click on the following link: Real life stories as a pilot