FLYER Club Member
Just after Christmas we acquired a rescue lurcher. Meet Stretch.
Stretch is not a high fuss or stress dog. He is either running (very fast and bad news if small and furry, so we're careful where he is off lead), lying down trying to attract attention, or asleep. He sleeps everywhere. In the car, on trains, on trams, 22 hours a day.
When we moved to the Midlands I promised my wife I'd fly her to the beach occasionally. We like the beach. Stretch likes beaches. I like flying. So I asked the flying club if he was allowed a ride, assuming they'd say no, and - happiest of days - they said Yes. As long as I sort anything unpleasant he does to the aircraft or (small, furry) flying club cat.
Some thoughts on dogs. I looked up some principles of aviation medicine for four legged animals. It seems they're happy with 8000' alt and don't suffer too much from climb rate but best to keep the ears happy, 500ft a minute. So a bit of attention to aircraft protection, temperature, water and treats. And ears. Noise perhaps an issue so we bought him some ear defenders and tried them beforehand.
Stretch will do anything if he gets cheese so five minutes and some cheddar later and he's merrily ear defended. Book aeroplane for the day, plan a flight and off to the club we go.
We arrived in plenty of time to experiment and not rush. First job was fitting the car seat hammock. I took a couple along to see what would fit; this is what we use in the car and he's very happy snoozing on it. Combines seat cover with a cover for the seat in front and side covers. We have two harness restraints so fitted both to the seatbelts and headrest.
Next, take Stretch to aircraft. Fine - fine - CAT. There's Jess the flying club cat and a very interested dog. I like the cat, I like the flying club, Stretch likes sausages more than cats so past the cat we go with a bit of distraction. Will he get in the aeroplane? A dog that can easily hop a 6 foot fence but won't climb a stile.
Door open, sausage on seat, BOING, dog in aeroplane. Wife climbs in with water feeder and treats to keep him happy. I don't think I'd fly a dog without someone to look after him. Here is is hoping for a bit of kibble.
Checks, start, taxi. When the car starts Stretch goes straight to sleep. The flight down - over Brize and talking to Farnborough - was uneventful save for lots of gliders and aircraft to look out for. It was a lovely day. Stretch was thoroughly excited.
Joining Bembridge circuit with a gorgeous view of shimmering sea; if you can't "find yourself" doing this, Machi Picchu won't help. He woke up(ish) and raised an eyebrow on touchdown which was I think fair enough, I've done smoother.
We strolled in to Bembridge via an ice cream at the windmill and had a glorious couple of hours on the beach. Airfield team very friendly. Decent lunch at Harbour View. And strolled back to fly home.
Airborne from Bembridge again the trip home was busy for things to look out for but uneventful for us. Stretch had a look out of the window; I was glad Olivia was with me to look after him and we'd checked he was properly strapped in. He just wanted to turn round, as he does in the car, but I didn't want to have to think about what he might do while flying.
He slept through my rather better landing. Now he wants a go on the club Vulcan.
I'm looking forward to taking him elsewhere. My key tips - plenty of time to set dog up; experiment with harnesses and seat covers; have somebody to look after pooch. We also had a car vacuum and carpet cleaner with us - which stayed in the car.
Stretch is not a high fuss or stress dog. He is either running (very fast and bad news if small and furry, so we're careful where he is off lead), lying down trying to attract attention, or asleep. He sleeps everywhere. In the car, on trains, on trams, 22 hours a day.
When we moved to the Midlands I promised my wife I'd fly her to the beach occasionally. We like the beach. Stretch likes beaches. I like flying. So I asked the flying club if he was allowed a ride, assuming they'd say no, and - happiest of days - they said Yes. As long as I sort anything unpleasant he does to the aircraft or (small, furry) flying club cat.
Some thoughts on dogs. I looked up some principles of aviation medicine for four legged animals. It seems they're happy with 8000' alt and don't suffer too much from climb rate but best to keep the ears happy, 500ft a minute. So a bit of attention to aircraft protection, temperature, water and treats. And ears. Noise perhaps an issue so we bought him some ear defenders and tried them beforehand.
Stretch will do anything if he gets cheese so five minutes and some cheddar later and he's merrily ear defended. Book aeroplane for the day, plan a flight and off to the club we go.
We arrived in plenty of time to experiment and not rush. First job was fitting the car seat hammock. I took a couple along to see what would fit; this is what we use in the car and he's very happy snoozing on it. Combines seat cover with a cover for the seat in front and side covers. We have two harness restraints so fitted both to the seatbelts and headrest.
Next, take Stretch to aircraft. Fine - fine - CAT. There's Jess the flying club cat and a very interested dog. I like the cat, I like the flying club, Stretch likes sausages more than cats so past the cat we go with a bit of distraction. Will he get in the aeroplane? A dog that can easily hop a 6 foot fence but won't climb a stile.
Door open, sausage on seat, BOING, dog in aeroplane. Wife climbs in with water feeder and treats to keep him happy. I don't think I'd fly a dog without someone to look after him. Here is is hoping for a bit of kibble.
Checks, start, taxi. When the car starts Stretch goes straight to sleep. The flight down - over Brize and talking to Farnborough - was uneventful save for lots of gliders and aircraft to look out for. It was a lovely day. Stretch was thoroughly excited.
Joining Bembridge circuit with a gorgeous view of shimmering sea; if you can't "find yourself" doing this, Machi Picchu won't help. He woke up(ish) and raised an eyebrow on touchdown which was I think fair enough, I've done smoother.
We strolled in to Bembridge via an ice cream at the windmill and had a glorious couple of hours on the beach. Airfield team very friendly. Decent lunch at Harbour View. And strolled back to fly home.
Airborne from Bembridge again the trip home was busy for things to look out for but uneventful for us. Stretch had a look out of the window; I was glad Olivia was with me to look after him and we'd checked he was properly strapped in. He just wanted to turn round, as he does in the car, but I didn't want to have to think about what he might do while flying.
He slept through my rather better landing. Now he wants a go on the club Vulcan.
I'm looking forward to taking him elsewhere. My key tips - plenty of time to set dog up; experiment with harnesses and seat covers; have somebody to look after pooch. We also had a car vacuum and carpet cleaner with us - which stayed in the car.
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