Heathrow May 1968
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posts: 6
Heathrow May 1968
Unearthed this footage while going through the inlaws' cinefilm collection. Heathrow certainly saw a more interesting variety of types in those days.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLnIM3lv0Ww
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLnIM3lv0Ww
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 20th Jan 2021 at 23:23. Reason: YouTube insert
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Monique Agazarian (ex ATA) used to run a “simulator” in a hotel at Victoria Station with Graham Percival in the early 70s. It was a Frasca-like machine, based on a Cessna 150 with limited motion. The “visual” display was a ten-foot-diameter ring of hardboard with a typical British countryside scene painted on it, representing the view from about 3000ft, within which the simulator rotated (yawed), with a token amount of pitch and roll thrown in for good measure. IMC could be simulated by a frosted screen over the windshield.
Monique taught me basic IF, VDF, VOR, ADF and ILS, all before I had finished my PPL. Needless to say, when I did my IMC rating training a few years later, it was fairly straightforward and the good habits that she instilled served me well for the IR too. She and Graham (who I believe was ex CFS) followed what I think was the RAF syllabus, using the “half-bar” technique of selecting and maintaining pitch attitude, as well as the selective radial scan for general IF. We flew Patterns ‘A’ and ‘B’ and could even fly full approach procedures. The results were recorded on some kind of plotter on the far side of the hardboard horizon.
She was a gifted instructor, as well as as a vivacious raconteuse. She told me about her time at Heathrow, running a Dragon Rapide for joyrides. It was a privilege to have been the recipient of her wise words.
I think she ended up moving the simulator to Wycombe Air Park.
Monique taught me basic IF, VDF, VOR, ADF and ILS, all before I had finished my PPL. Needless to say, when I did my IMC rating training a few years later, it was fairly straightforward and the good habits that she instilled served me well for the IR too. She and Graham (who I believe was ex CFS) followed what I think was the RAF syllabus, using the “half-bar” technique of selecting and maintaining pitch attitude, as well as the selective radial scan for general IF. We flew Patterns ‘A’ and ‘B’ and could even fly full approach procedures. The results were recorded on some kind of plotter on the far side of the hardboard horizon.
She was a gifted instructor, as well as as a vivacious raconteuse. She told me about her time at Heathrow, running a Dragon Rapide for joyrides. It was a privilege to have been the recipient of her wise words.
I think she ended up moving the simulator to Wycombe Air Park.
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Join Date: Feb 2008
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Good to be reminded of the days it was an exciting, interesting and "proper" airport with "proper planes", (proper smells too!) not the sterile shopping centre with aircraft that all look identical it became. Many happy late childhood/early teen years spent up on the QB (listening to either the commentary or our air-band radios) and wandering around the terminals pestering airline counters for any materials they would give us, many being very forthcoming with timeatbles, brochures etc. Also sitting with my friend, landside in T1 and jumping-up when a flight to some exotic place was called, loudly proclaiming "Oh that's us, we must go!" thinking it'd make us look important and interesting.
I also recall scambling up the grass bank adjacent to the Eastern Perimiter Road to marvel at the newly delivered BOAC 747. Probably get arrested for doing that these days!
50+ years later, couldn't wait to see the back of the place when retirement called.
I also recall scambling up the grass bank adjacent to the Eastern Perimiter Road to marvel at the newly delivered BOAC 747. Probably get arrested for doing that these days!
50+ years later, couldn't wait to see the back of the place when retirement called.
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Oxfordshire
Age: 67
Posts: 164
Just for no particular reason (nostalgia?) I've had a go at spotting from the video - doubt if 100% correct!
BEA Trident
BEA Vanguard
BEA Comet 4b
BOAC VC10
Air France 727
SAA 707
Qantas 707
PAA 707
Alitalia Caravelle
HS125? Forces Mail run?
CL44 or Britannia taking off?
Tail of a Lufthansa?
Several in background - can't make out.
BEA Trident
BEA Vanguard
BEA Comet 4b
BOAC VC10
Air France 727
SAA 707
Qantas 707
PAA 707
Alitalia Caravelle
HS125? Forces Mail run?
CL44 or Britannia taking off?
Tail of a Lufthansa?
Several in background - can't make out.