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Being in
the right place at the right time is all it takes to change the
course of one's life. After a - purely by chance - trial flying
lesson I was hooked, then after a totally unexpected loop and
roll 10 hours into my PPL, I became totally addicted.
Armed with 10hrs of flying I sought out a way to satisfy this
addiction. The perfect solution was found while on holiday in
Cannes - a course of competition aerobatics in a CAP 10b - which
I ravenously embarked on. Feeding an addiction only increases
the problem, as it was in my case. A Cap 10 of my very own was
the only solution. Like all good things it took time, but finally
Cap 10b No: 200 - "Uncle Charlie" - with the classic Turin paint
scheme in that lovely soft blue and white, bearing M. Auguste
Mudry's autograph on the rudder, emerged from the aircraft hatchery
at Bernay.
The time of delivery coincided with the 1983 Coupe Cap at Til
Chatel, where I was to compete in the 2nd cycle competition. I
was very anxious, my time to fly was drawing near and I had no
aeroplane. Then, out of a clear sky and an opportune lull in the
proceedings an unmistakable thrumming in the overhead announced
the arrival of my "Uncle Charlie". I shall never forget that very
special moment, a feeling of joy, pride and nervous excitement.
Not only had I acquired my - then - dream aircraft, but also instantaneously
became one of the great Cap family. M. Mudry being the "Godfather"
and we - the pilots and owners, being the Cap children. This heralded
the beginning of a long and passionate affair with Cap aircraft.
"Uncle Charlie" was a wonderful aircraft and I loved him dearly.
We had such good times together, made a lot of aerobatic friends,
collected up a few trophies and created a million memories.
During the next two years we competed as often as possible in
the French and English competitions. The French 2nd cycle was
the most demanding, with the level of competition always extremely
fierce. For me, the most enjoyable level was undoubtedly the French
National Bi-place. This was Cap 10 flying at it's very best. It
fed my passion and drove me on relentlessly until the time came
when I realised I could not reach my ultimate goal in "Uncle Charlie".
It was time to move on, I would have to upgrade to a single seater.
With much regret and shedding of tears I reluctantly had to say
goodbye to "Uncle Charlie". He went off to Hong Kong, to a good
and loving home, where after 18 years, I believe he still lives.
M. Mudry gave me endless encouragement in my quest and helped
to precipitate the transition to a single seat Cap. I remember,
after the first few days training in my new Cap 21 "ZZ" at Bernay,
he approached me and said "This is a good marriage, you make a
good pair".
I loved the Cap 21, the single seatedness of it, it's agility,
and at the time it's fantastic capabilities. M. Mudry was right,
it was a good marriage. However, it was more a tool for the job
and I was less sentimental about it. It definitely took me where
I wanted to go and that was the WAC at South Cerney.
I have equally fond memories of flights and adventures that we
shared during our time together. We winged all over Europe, training
and flying competitions. I never ceased to enjoy the camaraderie
of the Cap family, with the annual Coupe Cap being the highlight
of the year with the reunion of this great family.
But alas, all too soon the time came around when it was necessary
to move on again. The passion for International aerobatics was
all consuming and was to eventually take me away from the Cap
family. Not quite a divorce, more like a trial separation.
After all "ZZ" was such an honest and faithful aircraft - so dependable
- that it seemed wicked to divorce it. Fortunately we found him
a very good home were he was loved and cared for. Some years later
he went to live in the USA. Then a couple of years ago I found
an article in Sport Aerobatics under the title of "Aircraft with
a history" and was delighted to read that "ZZ" had become somewhat
of a celebrity and was alive and well and in good hands.
After the separation, the "Godfather " was very gracious to me,
"You'll come back one day," he said.
After all those years away, a chance telephone call set off a
string of coincidences that were to culminate in my new Cap 232.
Was it luck, chance or my destiny that it should all work out
this way?
It is little more than six months since that first telephone call
and now the time has come for F - GXDB to fly. On the 31st May
I arrived at Bernay just as he was emerging from the chrysalis,
and then there he was in the sunshine all ready to take flight.
The test flight was just routine stuff, but all the same it was
thrilling to see this beautiful new machine take to the air. It
looked good, sounded good and I was hungry to fly it. I have always
found first flights a little nerve racking, my feet become uncoordinated
stubs and my fingers all thumbs, but the 232 is a delight to fly
and I soon felt at ease.
For me this is a new area, and a reaffirmation of my "Cap passion".
Although the flame for International competition has perhaps waned,
it burns ever more brightly for Freestyle aerobatics and gyrobatics.
The 232, with its phenomenal performance and handling characteristics,
has tremendous scope for this style of aerobatics and I know its
going to be a wonderful partnership.
Now, the sky really is the limit.
Diana Britten
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