I have always wanted to fly like a bird, but for many years the prohibitive cost of learning to fly an aeroplane meant I never really considered it as an option. When I was studying at University, I received a small sum of money and suddenly decided, what the heck, I’m going to use this money to learn how to fly. My training was a long process as I had to squeeze my flying lessons in between a very hectic PhD schedule, but I got there in the end. My first aeroplane was a Decathlon tail dragger which was a joint venture with a friend. It was in this plane that I received my aerobatics endorsement. However, I have a great passion for warbirds, and couldn’t resist the allure of the CT-4A when an ex-RAAF variant came up for sale. I had incidentally done much of my training in a Victa Airtourer and just loved the handling characteristics. I have been the proud custodian of CT-4A A19-049, otherwise fondly known as Mango, for almost 8 years now. Every time Mango and I go flying, I never lose the feeling that I am immensely lucky to be able to experience the joy of flying, especially in the highly capable and very nimble little CT-4.