Female Spitfire Pilot Takes to the Skies at the Age of 92
oy Lofthouse, 92, flew the iconic planes during the Second World War.
This time, she took off from Boultbee Flight Academy in Chichester, Sussex, as a passenger.
After landing, Mrs Lofthouse said: “It was lovely. It was perfect.”
The thrilled grandmother, from Cirencester, Glos said the flight had made her feel “quite young” again.
And referring to the Spitfire, she told BBC 5 Live: “It was the iconic plane, I know they both - the Hurricanes and the Spitfires - played their part, but the Spitfire lasted a lot longer because it’s such a wonderful aeroplane I think.
The nearest thing to having wings of your own and flying that I’ve known.”
But she admitted to having been a little apprehensive before taking to the skies once again.
“I was excited, but aware of my age. So hoping that things went OK.
But not as confident as I did when I used to fly them alone when I was young.’
“But I’m being very cosseted and I’m very grateful. It was incredible to be in a Spitfire again after so long.
I’m so lucky to be given this chance to fly in this again. It’s very hard to describe the feeling.”
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The Spitfire used for this flight, ML 407 or the “Grace Spitfire,” is one of a number converted to a two seat conversion trainer configuration after the war. It has full dual controls and Ms. Lofthouse was able to fly the aircraft again during this flight.