Aviation Links
Francis Chichester grew up in New Zealand, where in a short time made a small fortune. On returning to England, he took flying lessons and, once he had a license, bought a Moth. After a cruise around Europe, with less than a hundred hours of flying time, he set off on the second solo flight for Australia in 1929. Chichester made after numerous adventures and next set off to be first across the Tasman Sea that separates Australia from New Zealand. He achieved this in 1931. 
Awarded the Johnson Memorial Trophy for his epic flight, he was the first holder of this coveted award. Chichester had to devise a new technique of astronavigation to find the two tiny islands which were to be his stepping-stones. In the lagoon at one of them his Moth sank, but he fished it up and over the course of a year or so rebuilt it, unaided by professional hands. In flying solo from New Zealand to Japan he made the first solo long distance flight in a sea plane. This flight ended in disaster when he collided with an overhead cable and the plane crashed in Katsuura Harbour. He was dreadfully injured but was nursed back to health by a brilliant doctor and kind, sympathetic Japanese nurses. It was this that helped him to choose alternative means of adventure and the Gipsy Moth sailing Boat was born.
Source: www.johnjohn.co.uk - www.gileschichestermep.org.uk
Words from Nigel Reid
Nigel's oldest memories are of sailing and flying with his father John Reid. Nigel and his brother were introduced to both as very young children and have fond memories of Sir Francis Chichester.
Nigel's love of being on the water and in the air came about from his father's real passion and enjoyment of both sailing and flying. Having being involved in sailing and flying from a young age, Nigel's role module in terms of inspiration for both pilots and sailors was Sir Francis Chichester. This inspiration for aviation and maritime has led Nigel and his brother into a career in flying.
Nigel flew with the Airforce - Jaguar and has spent the last 15 years working for British Airways. His brother went into the Navy as a Sea Harrier Pilot and is now working with Virgin. John has owned Gipsy Moth plane GAAWO since 1955, she will shortly be coming up for 75 years of age. To celebrate Sir Francis Chichester's return from his around the world voyage, John was invited by The Geoffrey Dehavilland Flying Foundation to fly his Gipsy Moth plane to meet Sir Francis Chichester upon his return into Plymouth. John flew with his friend Mike Jacques from Roborough Airport, Plymouth and met Sir Francis Chichester approximately 5 miles offshore. Nigel has strong memories of that day and often reminiscences with his father on the arrival of Gipsy Moth IV into Plymouth.
