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Lucy in the sky for flying club’s anniversary

A daily reporter has taken to the skies ahead of the country’s oldest aero club celebrating its 85th anniversary later this year.

Cambridge News journalist Lucy Ross Millar took the controls of a Cessna 172 Skyhawk aircraft for her first ever flying lesson at Cambridge Aero Club.

After instructor Michael Skakles explained the basics of the cockpit and how a plane works, Lucy took charge when the tiny aircraft was safely up in the air.

Depite the rain and slightly murky conditions, Lucy said she enjoyed the experience and managed to concentrate on her flight path without being too distracted by what was below.

Lucy at the controls of the Cessna 172 aircraft

“The majestic university buildings became a teeny tiny toy town, the A14 and the pint-size cars reminded me how special this moment was – floating in the clouds far above the hectic 9-5 reality below is about as good as it gets on a Friday lunch time,” she wrote on the Cambridge News website.

“The skies were slightly grey and our movement was tinged with turbulence. I expect the view wasn’t helped by the fact we’d picked a day which was forecast 12 hours of heavy rain – but it looked pretty good to me.

“I took the controls and practiced going from side to side and tilted the nose up and down, at 115mph it was smoother than I had imagined.

“We took a sharp left turn – my nerves were tested when the plane suddenly tilted – and got a closer look at the secret pirate island built by a millionaire in Landbeach.

Lucy took the controls above Cambridge

Then, after attempting to spot Ely Cathedral in the fog it was time to head back to base for a welcome cup of tea and the safety of the ground beneath me.”

The Cambridge Aero Club – the oldest in the country – celebrates 85 years of flying in the Summer.

7 comments

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  • March 24, 2014 at 10:01 am
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    Yet another classic example of Holdthefrontpage heralding as a “news story” something which isn’t. All reporters get to do things such as work along the refuse collectors, drive a bus, travel with the army etc etc.

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  • March 24, 2014 at 10:16 am
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    Ever since HoldtheFrontPage started in 2000 we have featured stories about journalists doing quirky or unusual things as part of their jobs. There has been no change of editorial policy on this and neither will there be. Yes, we continue to cover the big industry stories but there will always be a place on this site for human interest too.

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  • March 24, 2014 at 11:20 am
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    Worth covering, if only for the chance to use the ‘Lucy in the sky’ headline. Let it be, Observer50.

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  • March 25, 2014 at 9:46 am
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    Observer50 sounds like one of those impossibly grumpy old gits who moan relentlessly throughout the working day, and then again to the dwindling number of folk willing to drink with them once the day is done.
    As Curious says: “Let it be …”

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  • March 25, 2014 at 11:45 am
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    Being able to go places and see and do things most people don’t get the opportunity to, is one of the few perks left to being a journalist?
    I am sure the readers got an interesting feature to read, the Aero Club some publicity and Lucy had a great experience.
    What’s not to like?

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  • March 26, 2014 at 7:35 pm
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    A little surprised a paperback writer like Observer50, didn’t pick up on the LSD reference too !

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