Ian with his microlight machine
Previously unpublished photo.
When 25 year old Ian Rawson decided to pay a surprise call on his sister in Reading he didn’t go by car or train, he climbed aboard his powered hang-glider and flew, turning up on her doorstep after an 8 hour flight and on Thursday he donned his wings again to complete a 400 mile round trip. “It’s the furthest I have ever flown and I didn’t come across any obstacles or problems. He had been planning the trip for months and waiting for good weather. A week ago his parents, Norman and Dorothy Rawson had gone to Reading to see their daughter Mrs. Denise Stanworth and her husband Martin, the following day the weather was so good, Ian decided to follow them. When he arrived and landed in the park there was a crowd of locals there to see him and his machine. He set off from Trawden’s recreation ground. The Typhoon glider has a 330 cc engine and can travel at speeds of up to 35 mph. After several stops to refuel, Ian who is a tool maker at Michelin reached his destination 8 hours later after 6 1/2 hours’ actual flight at heights between 2,000 and 3,000 ft. He had planned the route carefully to avoid flight lanes and major towns. Powered hang gliders are classed as microlight aircraft and require a pilot’s licence. Ian was surprised how smooth everything went. The return journey was even better because there was a tail wind and it took four and ¾ hours’ actual flying time. “The feeling of being up in the clouds is fantastic, absolutely magic.” Ian began ordinary hang gliding five years ago and was a member of the Lancashire team, but two years ago when microlight aircraft were developed, he moved on to them. His present machine cost £2,500 but now he aims to go on to bigger things with a two seater model. He is a member of the British Microlight Aircraft Association which controls the sport in this country. He said, “It takes all my time and money but it’s a great sport”. Whilst hang-gliding can’t be considered a reliable form of transport as it is at the mercy of the weather, no doubt he will drop in on his sister again!