Fly-UK (2023)
By tradition, Fly-UK is held on the week that includes the longest day - 21st or 22nd June.
An any-age group of enthusiastic pilots fly their fast or slow, ancient or modern, trikes or three axis microlight aircraft around the UK.
Their week-long aim to ‘touch’ both Land’s End and John O’Groats - if the weather allows.
In 1966, three years after returning from the 2nd World Trip Richard achieved his dream of ‘getting into’ Granada Television and celebrated by learning to fly at Manchester’s Barton Aerodrome. Perhaps he'd be asked to fly around the world!!!
Family and work soon took precedence and his Private Pilot License (PPL) lapsed. Richard flying was restricted to him becoming a documentary boss ...
Five years after returning from Overland to America, which crescendoed his television career, Richard climbed back into the the pilot's seat.
Now he has his own 'vintage' single-seat microlight aircraft, Mighty Bird which he thinks is pretty cool but Richard does little more than fly two to three hour bumbles around the South East of England (Sandown on the Isle of White is a 'favourite') when weather and work permit.
It’s past time to fly right around his very own green and pleasant land - and see where that leads …
Jiří Krajča's, European and World Microlight Champion, was based at Plaistows airstrip near St Albans in the UK where Richard is also based. In 2018, Jiří took part in Fly-UK 2018. His video provides a taste of what Richard's round UK aerial adventure will feel like. https://youtu.be/LJxwndSDXpY