Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
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My Story - Flying High
Have you ever been in an aeroplane built by someone you know? I have quite recently and it was a little two-seater. I saw it come together from a heap of metal in the garage. This aeroplane was built by someone I know very well; my Dad.
As you probably know, planes don't build themselves overnight; it takes many years of building and experience. My Dad was a pilot once and has loved planes for as long as I can remember. The building started many years ago, I can't remember what year, but I was probably just starting school.
I can remember constantly going into the garage reminding Dad that we were going to have to leave for something that was on, and whenever my sister and I couldn't find him we knew he would be in the garage working on his plane. Gradually the pieces of metal came together to form segments of the plane. I can remember Dad showing me the wing up on the beams of the roof.
We moved houses and more and more of the plane was coming together and soon it would be all in one piece. We had a bigger garage, supposed to hold two cars; instead it held one car and an aeroplane. Not long after we moved, the plane was put together and its engine tested.
The plane was moved to an airfield to be stored safely, and soon it was on its first test flight. After many modifications, it was ready to be flown, but before it could take passengers, it had to fly for 40 hours.
Now my Dad's plane is up and flying and I have been in it twice; once around the sounds and once to Christchurch; much faster than driving!
By Rosa McClelland
Aged 12
Year 7
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Allan / Zenair Australia on
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Hi Ian
A simple but great story
Cheer
Allan
Zenair Australia
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Permalink Reply by Bob McDonald on
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An excellent story written from a child's perspective. It is a story that repeats itself many times over in garages, basement shops, storage lockers and even living rooms (understanding wife required) around the world. :>)
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Permalink Reply by Joe Harrington on
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Wow, she is sharp! How many 12 year old girls know that amateur built aircraft have to fly 40 hours before they can take a passenger? And who would actually write a story about it? Answer: One that is part of a close knit family who has a Dad that is eccentric enough to actually build an aeroplane in his garage...
Congratulations!
Joe
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Permalink Reply by Sebastien Heintz on
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Marvelous story (and well written!) from a great perspective. Like Allan states, "A simple but great story."
You should also have her take and post photos - I find photos from kids always show a new and different perspective.
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Permalink Reply by Ari Hulkkonen on
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I started to read this story because of your comment on my post in the website.. :)
However, I thought I was you telling about your dad building a plane decades ago. Now I realize it was you!
Just so lovely! Can you imagine our kids are considering aircrafts and going flying as normal routine? I can tell my son considers it even boring ;) Playstation 3 beats flying!
- Hulk-
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Permalink Reply by John Austin on
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Wonderful story! My youngest son helped me quite a bit during my build. He is mildly autistic and it was so much fun to watch someone's jaw drop when he was asked "what did you do last summer?" and he would reply "I built an airplane with my Dad!"
Rosa's story reminds me of this video: Lainey's First Airplane Ride. The transformation of the little girl's face from pre-flight to flight is truly amazing!
John
N750A
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