My First Solo - Part One

[Hagar]

Taking a leaf out of Sean's book I dug this out as threatened. I wrote it a few years ago when my memory was better than it is now. If nothing else it will give you some idea of how things were in good old Blighty back in the far less complicated days of my youth. It also bings back a lot of fond memories for me. 8-)

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My First Solo
by Doug Attrell

For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated by anything that flies. My only ambition as a boy was to be a pilot. I had been brought up on stories of the exploits of the Battle of Britain heroes and longed desperately to join the RAF and fly a Spitfire. It was therefore no surprise to my long-suffering parents when I joined the local ATC Squadron, 1440 Shoreham, as soon as they would have me, at the tender age of thirteen and a half. I was disappointed to learn that I would have to wait an eternity before being eligible, at sixteen, to qualify for a place on the prized ATC gliding course.

Several wonderful years in the Cadets were to follow during which I attended the annual camps where