This report is about my first ever flight. Although it was over 14 years ago, I remember it well. I was only 8 years old at the time but this flight made me mad about flying and I will always remember this flight.

Today I am even more mad about flying

PART 1 (SYD - SIN) March 1987
Having been born and grown up in regional Australia, this was not only my first flight but my first trip to a major international airport. Had come down to Sydney from where we lived the previous night, we stayed the night at friends place. My friend was also crazy about planes, so he awakened some aviation enthusiasim that has remained with me ever since.

It was a brilliant sunny day with not a cloud in the sky, went along to the airport mid morning to check in early and get a window seat. Then went upstairs to the restuarant to watch the planes. Saw my first ever 747. (It was green and white and very dirty, I don't think it had any writing on it) It may have been CX or a cargo operator. The ramp was very crowded and EVERY plane seemed to be a 747. (Certainly makes a differance from today!) departures were off runway 16 (16R today) going into Botany Bay. Got brilliant view of takeoff rolls and rotations. Every plane seemed to rotate very sharply.

Finally went through immigration and headed towards the gate. I was saying to Dad 'Are we on the plane yet?' I was too excited!

Got on, seat was a window towards the rear at the right hand side. Seats were a grey colour with small chequered pattern. Head rests were weird. They were these pink striped cloths. Looked exactly like chux superwipes (For Non Australians reading: If you don't know what chux superwipes are - They are a thin all purpose cleaning cloth, with striped pattern on them)

Flight was delayed half an hour because the baggage conveyor belt broke down. Dad was disgusted that we were so late. Remember captain had an American accent which I thought was weird for SQ. Even back then, saftey demo was on video screen.

I will never forget the sound of those engines spooling up and me yelling at dad: 'We're taking off!!' We rolled towards botany bay. and climbed sharply then turned North and leveled out over the suburbs for a few minutes, before continuing the climb. Seat next to me and dad was this spanish lady, who knew about ten words in english (Dad knew about as many in spanish) So after about an hour they gave up trying to talk to each other.

Weather was superb and got a brilliant view of outback Australia for most of the afternoon. Had to close window blinds to watch movie, and don't really remember landing in Singapore. (In fact don't remember anything about Singapore at all, except for the heat.)

PART 2 - SIN -ZRH (747-200)

Takeoff from Singapore was at night, and we seemed to be pitching up and down a lot. Dad said 'He's climbing very steeply.' Captain on this trip did'nt have American accent.

Dinner was a choice between 'Fish or Duck' nobody wanted fish and they ran out of duck.

Minor turbulence on this flight. Then landed at Dubai. Cabin crew announced no cameras were allowed in the airport. Asked Dad why and he said something about terrorists hiding a gun in the camera assembly and the security risk.

Dubai has no jetways/aerobridges so walked down stairs and saw the huge engine with the fans turning slowly (The sheer size of the thing kind of freaked me out.) That is why to this day the 747 is my favourite plane. How those giants get into the air, stay in the air or are able to stop when landed always drops my jaw.

Dubai airport was sort of half built and there seemed to be lots of police everywhere.

Took off from Dubai, asked to visit flight deck but was told no, because of security. I ask you what type of security risk can an 8 year old child pose?

Landing at ZRH seemed to take an awful long time. We descended into thick cloud and were there for what seemed like hours, in minor to moderate turbulence, then up pops the runway as we land and the first time in my life I have seen snow!!!

PART 3 - ZRH - SIN (747-300?)

Left ZRH at dusk. There was this little kid, (younger than I was) sitting in the set behind me. He kept kicking my seat right throughout the flight. This was the worst flight I have been on. Felt really uncomfortable and could'nt get any sleep. I don't think we landed in Dubai this time and I think the aircraft was a 747-300. When we landed in Singapore remember looking out the window and seeing a -300 parked nearby with 'Big Top' painted on it. But was'nt sure if it was our one or not.

PART 4 - SIN - MEL - SYD (747-200)

Had to wait in Singapore four about 7 hours! But did not leave airport. Spent most of day there. Was sunny but very hazy. Was really really tired and just wanted to get home. Only remember seeing red and white plane with funny engines that I'd never seen before (later worked out it was a Malaysia Airlines 737-200)

Gate attendant called us over and wanted us to board early! Never been able to work out why, but Dad and I were the first two Y class passengers to board! Flight to SYD was delayed slightly as some pax were late boarding. Fell asleep after takeoff.

When I woke up my tray table was down and dried up orange juice was spilt all over it. Dad told me that I had moved when I was sleeping and spilt it. Landed in Melbourne just before dawn. Thought the airport looked bland and boring (But to be fair, so did SYD back then.) Took off for Sydney. Don't think there were meals on this flight.

Landing in SYD was on runway 34 (now 34L) over Botany Bay. Very rough touch down.

So there it is. My only regret is that I was too tired to fully appreciate the flight home.

Oh yes, the friend I was talking about that awoke the aviation bug in me? Have not seen him since then. He now lives North of Brisbane. Am going up there in three weeks (end September) to see him for the first time in 14 years! Am flying up there and also going to airshow in Brisbane.

Stay tuned for that trip report!

Cheers

Benny B