Due to upcoming legislation Air Atlantique's DC-3s will have to stop operating passenger flights this summertime unless they have a load of safety equipment added to them, such as a lockable cockpit door and floor lighting on the aisles. Unfortunately this is completely cost prohibitive so this is potentially the last time you'll be able to get up on of them (Unless an exemption is offered for historical aircraft) and the Dakota's are undertaking a farewell tour up and down the UK.
Well, yesterday was the turn of Coventry so I bagged seats for myself and best friend (He posts here under the name of Airwolf) on one of the ten fully loaded flights and now truly understand why people such as David Learmount and our own Dakota67 have spoken so passionately about them.
We spent about twenty-five minutes up in the air heading from Coventry and turning around Warwick Castle before heading back and it’s an experience that I can’t begin to recommend enough, it was worth it alone just for the sound of the Pratt & Whitney radials, then take into account the wonderful views and sight of thirty-five other people around you, all wearing the same daft grin.
I do have to thank Air Atlantique for putting together such a wonderful day and for letting us wander around their other aircraft (I was particularly fascinated by the Shackleton) and look forward to going to visit them another time, I think I’m going to have to get a flight on a Dragon Rapide now.
I took plenty of pictures but had a few things working against me –
1 – I’m a lousy photographer2 – I only use a bog standard compact camera3 – The window I was sitting at had obviously taken a bit of abuse over the years and didn’t offer the clearest views of the world
Anyhow, that’s my disclaimer so when I start posting pictures and video later on today just bear in mind that my shots really don’t do the experience justice.
My wings are like a shield of steel.
Great work Batfink and i will be interested to see the photos etc. What was the weather like?It is a fantastic old bird isn't it!
You can upload video here if you like!
AirSpace - more than just hot air
Was quite lucky really in regards to the weather, it was overcast but still pleasant.
I'll give the video a go later on this evening, in its raw form it's over 50Mb so I may try to hack it down to something a bit more manageable when I get home (Currently I'm in the office).
Nice one, Batfink
You can just detect a slight change in engine tone at the end of the clip as she settles into the air...
Great memories of my first ever flight,..........and it was in G-AMPY too.
Only shame is, I sat on the other side
Is there anybody out there?
Love that engine sound.
Well done Batfink.