Few modern-day pilots have sampled the Miles Magister, a classic wartime trainer. FlyPast’s Dave Unwin describes a flight in the famous ‘Maggie’, with photography by Keith Wilson
As I walked out to the bright yellow aircraft on a beautiful summer’s day in 2012 at Old Warden, Bedfordshire, I was very much looking forward to the forthcoming flight.
I’ve always liked open cockpit monoplanes, and with its tandem seats the Miles Magister is my idea of a real fun flying machine.
Furthermore, its rarity and good looks always draw a crowd, and it boasts a unique claim to fame, being the first monoplane primary trainer operated by the RAF.
”While still at a safe height I decided to investigate my options in the event of a go-around. The flaps extend to 60 degrees, and the Maggie is quite reluctant to climb when they’re down”
I’d last flown this ‘Maggie’ (N3788 G-AKPF) back in 2004, when I accompanied the then owner Peter Holloway to Woburn Abbey for the de Havilland Moth Club International Rally – we were allowed in because it has a de Havilland engine.
After such a long gap, I anticipated that he might want to jump in the back for a quick flip round the patch, but he simply said: “Get in and get on with it.” Whe…
