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On our approach

Posted by
Doug (Burnham-on-Sea, United Kingdom) on 20 January 2023 in Transportation and Portfolio.

On our approach to land at Dunkerswell airfield in Devon, we had flown down from a grass airstrip in Somerset to refuel.

I had become friendly with a former RAF pilot who owned this historic Auster. It was built in the lat 1930's and saw service during the 2nd World War. Mike the owner and his partner had brought this wonderful old aircraft, after retiring from British Airways where he flew after leaving the RAF, and restored it to its current airworthy condition. I was only visiting to look at the Auster and a few other aircraft kept at the airfield but as it needed fuel Mike asked me if I would like to accompany him, and I jumped at the opportunity. This was doubly a pleasure as not only had I never had the experience of flying in a light aircraft, but also it was multiplied with the fact that my dear departed Father had flown in an Auster while he was in the RAF during the 2nd World War. Even more amazing during the flight back to Somerset Mike gave me the opportunity to fly the aircraft for a while, something I was absolutely blown away by.

I have a few more shots taken that day to come but thought this would fit well with the prompt, Elevated

Canon EOS 7D Mark II 1/640 second F/6.3 ISO 200 24 mm

SPOTLIGHT IMAGES AT:
http://dougp.aminus3.com/featured/

Please excuse me if I don't get to comment people's images some days but I've had to return to a work life rather than become a pensioner as I had planned due cost of living and the tax man wanting a lump of my pension. I am making an effort to return to AM3 after a bit of an absence, it's really nice to see photo's from all contributors and I will try to comment when I can. If I offer criticism I do so only to help and I do not wish to cause offence. My photography tends to be from my travels, as well as my passion which is wildlife and landscape. I hope you enjoy what you see.
Thanks for your comments I'm really grateful for them and welcome constructive feedback.

Jypyä Pop from Turku, Finland

A wonderful landscape. A forest area is also visible. In general, it is easy to get the impression that there are not many forests there. I learned something new again.

20 Jan 2023 5:12am

@Jypyä Pop: It's a bit misleading unfortunately, we do have a few forests but this is a very rural area

Stephen from Canberra, Australia

I love this bird's eye view - and you enjoy the freedom of the sky!

20 Jan 2023 6:11am

Mhelene from Villiers-sur-Marne, France

Wonderful picture !

20 Jan 2023 10:47am

Marjolein from Voorne aan Zee, Netherlands

Beautiful to see your view
What a great day that would have been.
Flying himself and also in his older light aircraft

20 Jan 2023 11:10am

@Marjolein: Thank you. It was a fantastic day and experience in an incredible aircraft

ChristineD. from Ste Colome, France

Très beau panorama. C'est toujours bon de prendre de la hauteur.

20 Jan 2023 1:01pm

Jason Kravitz from Brussels, Belgium

I saw the wing and was about to joke, "What... are you flying in a biplane??" and then read the description. What a great experience to follow in your father's footsteps (airsteps?) for a time.

20 Jan 2023 2:57pm

@Jason Kravitz: The main framework of the aircraft is steel tube but a cloth is laid over it and soaked in dope which tightens it up. It was a real thrill to know I was flying in an aircraft that he could have flown in Jason.

Ana Lúcia from Leiria, Portugal

Great view.

20 Jan 2023 5:34pm

Willem from Noord-Scharwoude, Netherlands

A fine created depth in this shot.

20 Jan 2023 7:20pm

Brian from Christchurch, New Zealand

Superb what a great experience

20 Jan 2023 7:57pm

@Brian: Thanks Brian, it was amazing and quite emotional too.

Ralf Kesper from Fröndenberg, Germany

Next cool flight shot

20 Jan 2023 10:34pm

Harry from Apex, NC, United States

wow - open cockpit provides an impressive view

21 Jan 2023 1:38am

@Harry: Thanks Harry, it is a closed cockpit but the pilot allowed me to take the window down to get some shots, a bit chilly though.

Elaine Hancock from Olney, United States

A gorgeous view! This must have been such an amazing experience. Such beautiful landscape!

21 Jan 2023 3:07am

@Elaine Hancock: Thanks Elaine, it was something I could never have dreamed of, but so special.

Joyce from Montana, United States

What a gorgeous color rich flowing curvy landscape. The wing of the plane seems important to the compo.

21 Jan 2023 12:34pm

@Joyce: Thank you Joyce I liked having the wing in the shot, Devon has some wonderful hills and is a pretty county

Ted from Blackwood, Caerphilly, United Kingdom

Great image and explanation!

7 Mar 2023 8:54pm

Canon EOS 7D Mark II
1/640 second
F/6.3
ISO 200
24 mm

am3-prompt-202303
elevated
view
landing
airstrip
historic
aircraft
auster