CHILDREN had an early taste of flying as part of their school studies.

In the 1970s, foreign holidays and air travel were becoming popular among an increasing number of families, and some schools felt their pupils should learn more about the growing aviation industry.

The children, from schools in Banbury, Thame, Witney and Woodstock, looked a little apprehensive as they prepared to take to the air, some for the first time.

But all were delighted when they returned to Oxford Airport, Kidlington, after a half-hour flight in four-seater Piper Cherokee aircraft in 1972.

Memory Lane this week

The flights were organised by the newly-formed Oxfordshire branch of a national body known as AERO, the Air Education and Recreational Organisation.

The branch had been set up nine months earlier by the county education committee to promote interest in aviation in schools.

The young fliers were shown round the airport and toured the aircraft maintenance sheds before taking to the air.

Two of the aircraft were piloted by teachers – Doug Todd, organiser of activities at Banbury School and president of AERO, and Tony Albert, from Lord Williams’s Grammar School in Thame.

Jim Noel, a commercial pilot at the airport, took charge of the third aircraft.

The children, who paid £2 each for the flight, were watched by Brian Day, the county’s director of education, who described AERO as a “very good idea”.

He said air travel was becoming an important part of life and in preparing young people for their place in society, it was important to show them the difficulties and attractions of the industry.

Two of the first children to take to the air were Adrian Foster and Julia Smith, both 10, of Queensway School, Banbury.

After the flight over North Oxfordshire, Adrian, who had never flown before, said: “It was really thrilling. I should love to go up again.”

Paul Baker, secretary of AERO, said the purpose of the organisation was to encourage “air-mindedness” in schools and to use air studies as part of geography, history and social studies.

He explained that the use of Oxford Airport for the flights had been possible because airport manager John Pooley was a member of AERO and was keen to promote links with schools and to encourage interest in aviation.

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