The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Still reaching for the skies
The return of aeronautic activity in the skies above his Perthshire home following the lockdown hiatus is clearly proving emotional for Thomas Brown.
Bankfoot’s man of many talents can proudly list a lengthy stint as a member of Scotland’s oldest – and largest – flying club on his extensive curriculum vitae. “We all have our memories,” Thomas tells Craigie.
“Good times, regrets, sad times – it’s all part of being human. But when it comes to good memories, one of my many was being an associate member of the Scone Airfield Scottish Aero Club.
“Thinking back gives me the opportunity to highlight those fine people who made having membership of the aero club for my wife Jean and myself so memorable.
“We were members from 1980 to ’86 and once we began to visit the airfield it became our every weekend retreat for all those years.
“They say memories are golden, well golden they were at Scone – particularly those of when we received our first flights in a Cessna 150 aircraft piloted by the club’s chief flying instructor Captain Douglas Balgue of Air Service Training.
“The first other pilot I recall was Mr John Robertson from Perth. John was preparing for a cross-country flight, and we have remained friends ever since.
“In those times members included Perth dentist Hector Ferrier, Squadron Leader Alfred Smith, Capt Ray Foote, Jim Munroe, Bill Hind and his wife Enid, Bob Couper – an instructor – Reg Vernon, David Main, Ian Macdonald, Peter Robertson, Ian Gibson,
Johnstone Macmillan, David Maithers, Angie Smith, Capt Douglas Balgue, Ron Groat and George Hunter.
“Sadly my memory is not what it was and I forget other members we knew. Apologies to them, but one ex-pilot who does stand out is Jimmy Munroe. I remember being his first passenger when he gained his private pilot’s licence.
“Another was the veteran Alfred Smith, who after we became airborne swiftly
earned the distinction of being the first pilot to give me a stomach-churning 10 minutes of aerobatics!
“I also remember Bill Hind, with whom I enjoyed so many flights, as I did with John Robertson. I can hardly think, looking back, that it was 37 years ago. In fact, it is 42 years altogether since we became members.
“So many of those fine people are no longer with us – as one pilot said, they are in the big hangar in the sky – but my friend John Robertson, with his long commitment both as a former pilot and member, was presented with a life membership.
“Sadly, so many photos I once had were destroyed owing to severe dampness in a previous house, but you can’t erase the memories.”
Established in its current form in 1956, Scone Airfield SAC operates out of the former Second World War training airfield – officially known as Perth Airport – at the small Perthshire town and presently has around 290 active members.
Thomas concludes, wistfully: “Today the aero club is as active as ever under the management of Elaine Whitehouse. And yes, as a former proud member, I wish them well.
“My wife Jean actually started a small coffee bar in the clubroom at Scone which proved popular. Often when I see a Cessna flying over I raise my flask to the skies as I think fondly of how many times we were up there.”