I flew an aircraft today! It was the Harrier- a military jet with a Vertical/Short Takeoff and landing (V/STOL) technology and I can’t wait to tell you about it!

P.S: There’s an important info at the end.

After service today, the conversation drifted to the town we were driving through and I chipped in that I had read somewhere that Farnborough is the home of British aviation and visiting the Aircraft museum was on my bucket list.

My very kind friend, let’s call him M offered to drive me to Gulfstream and I nearly did not believe my luck but he has always been a gracious person, so I quickly believed my luck and accepted the offer with glee.

Quick story: Three years ago, I met G&M (a sibling pair) at a wedding and shared a table with them, we had conversations and they got interested in my career and would eventually be tremendously helpful in helping me navigate my 2024 relocation. After the wedding, my train to Newcastle got cancelled due to weather conditions and they accommodated me for the night. The only other feasible option was to sleep at the station in frigid October. Few days ago, when they heard I was in Ascot, they came visiting. It made me so happy! I still make my chocolate the same way they taught me— milk in the microwave, then dissolve Milo in it, yum!

Back to my story; we drove past the private airport and the only thing I can say is money truly answers all things. Omoor! See private jets na. E come be like say I dey inside movie. Private jets were just landing like no man’s business. Today also happened to be the British car show at Farnborough airport, quite close to Gulfstream. Rich people truly live different lives because which wan come be car show?

The main experience began at the Farnborough Air Sciences Museum Trust (FAST). The first person we met was an elderly gent, Dave who happens to have fixed aircraft for 38 years and after retirement, he decided to volunteer with FAST as a tour guide. His devotion to his literal craft is so endearing!

M. and I had already climbed in and when Dave joined, I was startled by his presence. To be honest, I was fiddling a screw, and assumed I was going to get told off but he reassured me and I stayed for his tour. He went on to introduce himself and explained why we should not touch knobs, instead, point at them and he’d explain the function of each one. Apparently, someone had broken something the day before and the airplanes were built in the 60s, last flown in the 80s, replacing parts is not quite easy as spares are most likely out of circulation.

I got onto the left side, the co-pilot seat and M on the pilot seat. Dave gracefully spoke about his career briefly, the aircraft and then, offered to take a photo of me.

M knows a lot about aviation and aircraft. I am fascinated by people who can demonstrate knowledge outside of their field (I don’t know his line of work, seems like a tech or finance bro). I shall be checking LinkedIn instead of asking like a normal human being. Okay, I’m back from LinkedIn, what does Risk Architect mean? I no kuku sabi. Let’s move on.

We proceeded to view a couple more crafts but I was particularly fascinated by this bomber jet. We met another volunteer who also happens to be a Dave and he showed us round. I even know how to fire a missile from a flying helicopter. Everybody please clap 👏 😂😂😂.

Giddy with excitement and ready to head home, I was informed that there’s a museum inside and I would get to simulate a flight. You know that happy dance that toddlers do when they like the food they are offered, ehen, that’s what I wanted to do but I had to behave properly because it was a public space and M comes off as a very reserved person. Local girl was not going to show too much excitement 🙈.

M took time explaining the mechanics of airplane wings, engines and G-force as it applies to aircrafts in motion and I really did not need a tour guide. Did you know that planes move at a speed of 550mph? UK speed limit is 80mph. Crazy speed!

We continued touring and got to the model of the first plane ever flown from British soil by the iconic Samuel Cody and I signed our names on the visitors’ book. It was flown from Farnborough in 1908, hence the name, home of British aviation.

Then the most exciting part! The flight simulator.

I got into the cockpit, was given a brief overview of the controls and then, an Harrier to pilot.

My max cruise speed was 580mph, I flew over a mountain and a body of water then landed safely on the runway at 30mph. For some reason, the pitot (a pressure measurement device used to calculate the speed of air) doesn’t read speed below 30. Go and find out why like I did😎.

The entire tour was free and M didn’t charge either for fuel or his time and knowledge.

I even got a card in recognition of my flight skills. 😂

We spent quite some time walking through the display while I got lessons on mechanics and the history of aviation and space exploration.

The souvenir shop featured a library with antique books on aviation history. Are you wondering if I bought a book? Ermmm… yes I did. I am practicing restraint so I only got one.

Say hello to your latest pilot-for-a-day.

P.S: The thing I promised at the end is to inform you the plural of aircraft is aircraft. See, you learnt something new!

Thank you for reading. Tutu mkpong.

Yours in flight,

Edima.