7 July 2003
<img src=”/images/Branson3011sm.jpg” align=left hspace=3 vspace=3>Sir Richard Branson flew a replica of Sir George Cayley’s glider on Saturday (July 5) to commemorate the first manned flight 150 years ago.
The Virgin chief was appropriately dressed as a coachman for the occasion as the original flight in 1853 was made by Sir George’s coachman, John Appleby. Although he made history, Appleby clearly didn’t enjoy the experience; after flying some 200 yards and crashing on landing he resigned on the spot, memorably saying: “Sir George I wish to give notice. I was hired to drive, not to fly”.
Saturday’s flight took place from the same field at Brompton Dale, near Scarborough, where the original flight launched 50 years before the Wright brothers made their record-breaking first flight of a manned powered aircraft.
Sir Richard, who flew at 6ft for 50 yards, clearly enjoyed it more than Appleby and said afterwards: “Brilliant. We’ve done it, we’ve done it. That was exhilarating, magnificent. I can retire knowing that I can fly.”
He had helped make the reconstruction possible by providing £50,000 to help past and present employees of BAE Systems, in conjunction with the local branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society, to construct the replica.
Cayley has been described as the father of aeronautics as he set out the principles of lift and thrust, and the means of vertical and horizontal control.
