My recent visit to England, Scotland and Wales to photograph was a flying visit (very short) but I was unable to do much flying.
The schedule I set myself was extremely hectic and I was travelling from early morning till later in the evening while it was still light.
When I did pass an airport it was either too late in the day or the weather was unsuitable for flying. I was beginning to think that I’d missed out on a flying experience because opportunities never seemed to present themselves.
With only a few more days before I departed back home to Australia, I was then resigned to sightseeing and photographing only. However, while I was in Scotland I had a pleasant surprise (apart from the unusually sunny day). In the morning, I’d driven through the Cairngorms National Park and then stopped to visit Balmoral Castle (below).
Then, as I was heading towards Aberdeen, I spotted an aircraft in the sky up ahead. As usual, I was running behind time because I was enjoying the scenery and kept stopping to take photographs. I had to think quickly (a bit hard for me at times!) and make a decision. Do I keep driving until I find the airfield and see if I can go for a scenic flight in a glider, or do I forget about flying and keep going as planned and visit Glamis Castle? Very hard decision. Castle or flying, hmm!
In the end, I didn’t have to make any decision at all. My car just turned off the road and headed towards the airfield’s office and clubhouse. I’d arrived at the Deeside Gliding Club just out of Aboyne.
I met a friendly bunch of flying enthusiasts and asked if there was any possibility of going for a scenic flight. Obviously I’d have to wait for some time because students had already booked their flying lessons and had first preference. Nevertheless, the instructor was very accommodating and after waiting for over an hour another glider became available to fly. The call sign was FYL – Foxtrot Yankee Lima or for my way of thinking FYL – Fran You’re Lucky (to have this unexpected opportunity).
When I’d been gliding before in Australia, the glider was launched with a winch and cable but here at the Deeside Gliding Club there was a plane which towed the glider into the air. After reaching a suitable height, I pulled the cable release to set the glider free. The tow plane then headed off with the cable trailing behind and the glider was left to search out the thermals and soar. My pilot, Dave Pirie, was an excellent instructor, finding the slight thermals around the area so I could take photos and also take the controls of the glider.
We weren’t able to stay in the air for very long because of the lack of really strong thermals but at least I had a small dose of flying over some lush Scottish countryside in the valley of the River Dee.
All in all, a memorable day of Cairngorms, castle and gliding. However, I did have to alter my route to arrive at my hotel in Kinross, near Loch Leven, at a reasonable hour.
The next day, when I had planned to go gliding near Kinross, was pouring with rain and not exactly ideal conditions for flying and photographing. So I’m glad that I took the opportunity to go gliding near Aboyne, otherwise I would have missed out on my flying altogether.
By being flexible, weighing up the options and consequences, and making a decision, I took the opportunity to indulge my passion. In other words, I “seized the day”.
Now, a word of caution. The following tip is a generalisation because not every opportunity is a good opportunity. Sometimes, if an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
So, another tip for how to pilot your life (personal or business) is:
Take every opportunity that comes your way.
There’s no “Rewind” button for life, only “Play”.
Two of my presentation topics are:
Success
Follow your dreams (at any age)
You can read more in my blog http://franwest2.blogspot.com. There are plenty of stories, photos and videos. Products can be ordered from this website as well.
While you’re waiting for the next newsletter, “Plane Reflections: about life and a flight around Australia’s coast” is available in book and CD format for $20.00 plus postage and packaging.
“Australia’s Coast from the Air” DVD, with over 260 photos and soundtrack, is available in PAL and NTSC for only $25.00 plus postage and packaging.
To preview the DVD visit www.youtube.com/ozdragon52.
Bye for now,
Fran West
Australia’s Life Pilot
Speaker, Author, Adventurer
For the full illustrated and unabridged version of the Pilot your life newsletter (emailed monthly) contact Fran through the website links.
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Tags: achievement, attitude, determination, flying, focus, following dreams, gliding, goal setting, goals, motivation, opportunity, personal development, Scotland, success
