Fleur’s flight of fancy
"Nearly 80-year old" Hillcrest resident flies a Foxbat light aircraft for the first time in six decades.
AFTER six decades Fleur Wilkins’s dream of flying an air plane was finally realised when she flew in a Foxbat light aircraft on
Saturday 31 August at the Light Flight airfield in Cato Ridge.
At nearly 80 years old, the spirited adventurer was airborne for over an hour and was given the chance to fly the aircraft for a short period, under the watchful eye of private pilot, Graham Kiggan.
“It was very exciting, especially with the strong winds. There were bits of pieces that I couldn’t remember, but I managed,”said Wilkins.
It was Fleur’s son Charles Wilkins who arranged for his mother’s surprise flight as she’d been forced to abandon her dream of flying as a teenager due to financial constraints.
“We also moved overseas and life took off. Flying, unfortunately, was not always part of my life,” said Wilkins.
Despite the setbacks Wilkin’s passion for air planes and flying could not be dashed.
“I have flown all over Africa as a passenger, and I have flown to England. I have also attended many air shows. Another great ambition of mine is to attend the Farnborough International Airshow in England, ” said Wilkins.
When asked if she plans on flying again in the near future Wilkins responded saying, “You never know. It took years for me to get to this flight, so we will have to see. I would love to have the opportunity to fly again.”
