De Havilland Chipmunk
G-BYSJ
 First
flown in 1946, the Chipmunk is said by many to have perfect
handling qualities and is thought to be the ideal machine
on which to learn to fly a classic 'tail-dragger' aircraft.
The "Chippie" is still held in high esteem by the
RAF. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight still use Chipmunks
as trainers for checking out new pilots selected to fly their
Spitfires and Hurricanes! In fact, watch out, the Officer
Commanding BBMF, Sqn Ldr Al Pinner MBE, is a close friend
of fly2help
and can occasionally be seen at Kemble in our crew room scrounging
coffee!!
It seems only right that G-BYSJ is now the pride of an organisation
such as ours! Looking back at her early days, it now seems
that Sierra Juliette's path to fly2help
was destiny. Even our Chipmunk
Chief Instructor, Bill Perrins, used to fly this actual
aircraft back in 1978...and he still has the log book to prove
it! It is known that 'SJ' gave many years of sterling service
in the RAF Air Experience Flight Scheme, giving many youngsters
their first taste of aviation where she was no doubt responsible
for creating air mindedness in many an impressionable youth.
In more recent times, she has impressed thousands of people
with her distinctive and graceful lines as the lead aircraft
in the Red Sparrows Chipmunk Formation Display Team flown
by Howard Cook. It seems only fitting that as she retires
from her previous roles that she has come full circle, to
once again help children and young adults to experience the
all-encompassing pleasure and freedom of flight; even the
for first time! That having been said, as the saying goes,
'old habits die hard'; and it is without doubt that as well
as her lighter duties, she will also continue to enjoy working
for everyone, from trial lesson students right through to
aerobatic thrill seekers!
Come and try her for size ... you'll never look back!
Find out about our Super Decathlon
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