Crash

CRASH

A February morning with a sky full of snow.
10 fledgling pilots ready to go.
Breakfast is over and it’s down to the Hangers
It’s solo’s today, mustn’t drop any clangers.

To head for the clouds as an R. A. F. flier.
For many a year that’s been my desire.
Fifteen years old may seem a bit young.
To take the first steps on that ladders rung.

The idea came clear when I joined the A. T. C.
And experienced the thrill of my first A. E. G.
The checks are all done and we call “Take up slack!”
This is it, we’re off, there’s no turning back.

On the runway at Linton, they called it a barge.
But once in the air a glider is not quite so large.
The big open cockpit with seats side by side.
For the instructor and me it’s not very wide.

Still; that was the start that brought me down here.
Ready to fly solo in a sky not so clear.
I’ve had fifty flights and not a few frights.
Experiencing first hand; some thrills and delights.

But was it only this time last year.
That fate tried to stop me getting here.
In the middle of a course for my B.G.A. wings.
I got involved in one of those things.

This was the time when I fell through a wing.
And the curses of the ground crew made my ears ring.
What could I do? There was oil on the concrete.
And as we manhandled the plane I just lost my feet.

The C. F. I.  said through his clenched teeth.
“An unlucky accident, there’s no need for grief.”
He did the paperwork and I just stood by.
And later that day I was ready to fly.

Half way through take off the cable-tow broke!
Well no, not really. The C. F. I.  pulled a stroke.
Nose down, nose up, a quick figure ‘S’.
I thought I was clear of that little mess.

But as I congratulated myself and came in to land.
Things did not go just as I had planned.
I brought it down nicely but “rounded” too soon.
So I “heavy landed.” What a buffoon.

The wings flapped and snapped. The plane was U.S.
And as for me, well I was in a right mess.
Oh I walked away; I came to no harm.
But the C. F. I.’s manner had lost all its charm.

A run of bad fortune Lady Luck did bring.
But I was only a trainee still under his wing.
But even so it’s not very nice.
I’m the only Air Cadet to crash a plane …TWICE! !