Philip Hogge Author

Philip Hogge learned to fly in 1959, joining BOAC in 1962 where he worked as a line pilot and navigator and as an instructor, flying on Britannias, VC10s, 707s and 747s. He was Flight Training Manager on 707s and then 747s, before becoming Chief Pilot 747s, and finally GM Flight Operational Services in British Airways flight operations department.
    ‘This new collection of short stories, following the success of Volume 1, comes from my abiding love of aviation. It all began when, aged eight or nine, I discovered aeroplanes. A light aircraft made a forced landing in a field near where we lived in Devon — that must have been somewhere around 1950. I was enthralled. Like so many pilots, I started by building model aircraft made of balsa and tissue paper, powered by elastic bands and small diesel engines. This was followed by a gliding course with the Air Cadets in 1958 and an RAF Flying Scholar-ship while still at school. During one rapturous summer holiday in 1959, Yvonne Pope taught me to fly a Tiger Moth and I gained my Private Pilot’s Licence.
    ‘Looking back after all these years, I know I owe her so much. She was a kindly, dedicated instructor who demanded high standards, instilling the right attitude of mind. Flying is fun — but — you must treat it with the greatest of respect and care, if you don’t, it will turn round and bite you!
    ‘Airline flying in the 1960s was not as it is now. There was still an element of glamour, adventure and excitement. I was lucky enough to start with BOAC on the Britannia 312, seeing the last of the propeller operations across the North Atlantic. In 1964, I converted to the VC10 and from there progressed (or was it regressed?) to the Boeing 707 and finally to the mighty 747.’