AMbush

Had a great evening at Fairoaks with my old friends from Alan Mann Helicopters. Still much uncertainty about its future but, whatever happens, it will always be an important part of our lives. Al Davis said today, "it was good to see all of the old faces that made AMH such a happy place to work, Even though the pay was not particularly high, most of the people stayed for some years and felt an affection for the company and their workmates."

I only flew for them for three years and it all went pear-shaped in the end, but I had such fun. Mike Magill reminded me of lively discussions about Westerns during our lunchtime airfield perimeter strolls. Barry Hodgkinson recalled Linda and Sue Clode belting out, "the pilots on the bus go winge winge winge" during a coach transfer after one of my Noel Edmonds Helifests.

I may have overdone my efforts to make the event invite only. I selfishly wanted to see my pals and avoid a free-for-all but a few who would have been perfectly welcome felt they needed an invitation. So I'm sorry about that. I think there'll be a next time.