Listening to Humph's introduction to ISIHAC this evening, originally broadcast in 2005, I wondered if there was something behind the intimation that one of Ipswich's main claims to fame was its historic airport. Humph talked of it being the home of the first airline flights from the UK to Paris, and various things about the parachuting, but he didn't mention that after years of protest from airport users and conservationists, Ipswich Borough Council had bulldozed the airport and handed out planning permission for a housing estate.
I used to love watching the British Skydiving team practise there, and it was where I had flying lessons. Only two lessons, but a wonderful memory - especially the one which was my best-ever birthday present, a surprise set up by friends. There was a superb thunderstorm as we were landing, and guiding the plane down through it was amazing. The instructor let me take it almost down to the grass. Then we sat in the old airport building (listed, it was) and watched the storm.
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