Winter 1999/00
From the Secretary
The arrangements for the informal Summer meeting between June 16th and 18th are well in hand. Remember this requires no preliminary booking with the Association. Put the date in your diary now - Go Karts, ballons and gliding. There will be plenty of space for tents and caravans and a small amount of bunk house accommodation. Those wishing to book hotels or B&B may like to contact the Tourist Information Centre [details given and accommodation list attached]. Early action is of course recommended. (Our president elect, Frankie Walters, is already astir and enquiring). The Autumn meeting is being planned, based at Downing College Cambride, for September 1st-3rd. Stephen Gibson is putting together a programme for us. Accommodation is in newly appointed twin rooms and we shall have the use of our own bar and common room when not otherwise engaged.Andrew Clymo.
From the President
Sitting in the Kensington Hilton after attending an AAME committee meeting the previous day I am thinking about Andrew Clymo's last message: "I need the President's piece for the newsletter." "When?" "Monday - just knock up a few lines that I might be able to decipher for then."How did this all begin?
Well, in 1977 I left a four man group practice and taking my 3500 patients with me set up as a single-handed GP at home (more about that story some other day). I loved it. My own boss, using my medicaly philosophy, time passed very satisfactorily, except for one thing. I was confined in space by time.
In October 1979 I paid a locum to look after the practice and with James (our eldest offSpring) set off from Gatwick in Tomm Braniff's daily "Big Orange" 747 for Dallas to visit a colleague. While crossing the North Atlantic James was asked if he would like to visit the flight deck; and his father could go as well if he wished! During this visit I noticed that the gentleman sitting in the left-hand seat of the cockpit was wearing spectacles and, not only that, I estimated his myopia was approximately the same as my own, while looking over his shoulder.
On returning home and still having a sizeable amount of income tax rebate from my old practice I suspected that I might be able to learn to fly an aeroplane, even if I did wear spectacles. So, at 41, I started to fly with the Coventry Aeroplane Club (with which many of you are familiar). The rest of the story is not unusual: addicted to getting into the air after about 6hrs flying: made worse when you go solo, and suffer sever withdrawal symptoms when unable to fly once you have your licence. I am probably still an enthusiast because I started late. I have just 1000hrs in 20 years and still regard myself as a novice.
I joined the BMPA in 1983 and my first meeting was York in that September. I first went to a French meeting in May 1992 at Beaune and my first German meeting was last May at Weimar.
Fellow Medicas are the nicest people I know and some of the nicest people to be around are fellow pilots. Thus my felow members of the BMPA are the best of all worlds and I am very proud to be part of you; even though I have to write 'Presidential Pieces'. Elizabeth Ann and I are looking forward to seeing you at Farnborough and Edgehill.
John Busby