Sunday today! the first flight took place this morning. After getting up about 3.30am we got to the School & had the Avro out by 5.10am and then Mr Ding himself came out & took me up for my ‘joy ride’ in the NAC [National Air Communication] Mono[plane]. I had an awful job getting the machine started. The propellor is behind the main plane and to start it one must stand on the float under the plane & shove at the propellor through the wires. After about 15 min[ute]s puffing I got it off & away we went. I didn’t notice the lift at all and forgot to look over the side till we were about 600 ft high.

We went up to Bowness & back again and then took a circle round & came down 15 minutes in all. It was a very fine sensation and I just itched to have a hand on the steering wheel. It wasn’t nearly as cold as I had been led to expect…. Except for the vibration of the engine it was much smoother than a motor car. As we were doing 60 mph there was ‘some’ wind.

… I must leave here at 5.45 for the evening flying as I am next on the list and if I am not on the spot I lose my turn and have to wait until the other odd pupils have had theirs. This is the first real flying day we have had. I hope Sundays are not always so good. I am going for a snooze now so hope you are all keeping well.

Much love
Douglas