The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Inspirational Roddy aiming to get pilot’s licence at 75
St monans: Army veteran says flying again has been ‘an amazing experience’
A sheltered housing resident from Fife is to get his pilot’s licence – almost 60 years after first getting behind the controls of an aircraft.
Roddy Kyle is 75 and in need of a hip replacement but that will not stop him taking the test this year.
The daredevil, from St Monans, has even taught himself the basics of flying by watching YouTube videos.
The former British Army engineer first sat at the controls of a glider when he was 16 but his dreams of becoming a pilot had to take a back seat as his military career took him around the globe maintaining the army’s Centurion tanks and other vehicles.
He said: “As soon as I got behind the controls of the glider, I knew this was something I could do again and again.”
But his subsequent experiences of flying were as a passenger and not something he enjoyed. “My initial deployment to Germany in early 1961 was by troopship but trooping flights to Germany started in 1961. It wasn’t the most pleasurable experience so it’s fair to say I wasn’t a fan of passenger flying.”
He added: “Now, in the cockpit with my hands on the controls, it’s been an amazing experience and I’m even looking at the possibility of buying into something, to fly more regularly.
“When you’re in the air it’s really quite simple and great fun – it’s the landing that is a bit trickier.
“I’ve spent a wee bit of time on YouTube, looking at tutorial videos, but it’s not something you can master just from watching; I’ve been lucky enough to receive some fantastic instruction.”
After passing the theory exam, Roddy is preparing for the practical test at Balado Park Airfield, Kinross.
Roddy lives in Bield’s Abercrombie Court and Kathy Crombie, communications and marketing manager at the firm, said they “are so proud of Roddy”.
“To see him following this dream at 75 is a true inspiration to all of us and we wish him every success in his steps on the road to getting his licence.”