Age

[klondike]

As explained in the HHGTTG flying requires mastery of a simple trick. You must learn to simply miss the ground.

According to the Guide, the main thing that flying requires is the ability to throw yourself at the ground and miss. It says to throw yourself forward with all your weight and "the willingness not to mind that it's going to hurt", however it will surely hurt if you fail to miss the ground. The difficulty is in missing the ground, and doing so accidentally, as "deliberately intending to miss the ground" does not work.

"You have to have your attention suddenly distracted by something else then you're halfway there, so that you are no longer thinking about falling, or about the ground, or about how much it's going to hurt if you fail to miss it."
—The Guide[src]
Flying is notoriously difficult, which is why the majority of people fail and become disillusioned with this particular sport. However, flying can be accomplished if you find yourself distracted at the crucial moment of missing the ground, by things such as "a bomb going off in your vicinity", or "suddenly spotting an extremely rare species of beetle crawling along a nearby twig".

If you find yourself missing the ground completely and "bobbing just a few inches above the ground in what might seem to be a slightly foolish manner", then this is the moment that requires great concentration. The Guide says to "ignore all considerations of your own weight" and to "simply let yourself waft higher" as you float above the ground.

The Guide advises not to listen to what others may say, as they could say something such as: "Good God, man, you can't possibly be flying!". It is vitally important not to believe them or they will suddenly be right, and you will find yourself failing to miss the ground once again.

The final piece of advice that the Guide offers is to "try a few swoops". and then to drift above the treetops, breathing regularly. It is also heavily emphasised to not wave at anybody.

The Guide gives only a small amount of information about how to land; saying that landing is something which can only be learnt properly with experience, and that you will almost certainly "screw up" your first attempt.

Flight schools
There are private flying clubs which help fliers to cope with the all-important moment of distraction. They hire people with surprising bodies or opinions to leap out from behind bushes and exhibit and/or explain them at the critical moments. Only a few genuine hitchhikers will be able to afford to join these clubs, but some may be able to get temporary employment at them.

https://hitchhikers.fandom.com/wiki/Flying

[dextrous63]

😬😬😬😬

[Cassandra]

You wouldn't get me in that plane !      

But .... It's been around for 75 years, no problems. English, well Canadian 'De Havilland' Canada and if the engine conks you can 'feather' it down to virtually 'plop' onto the water. Top speeds about 160 mph (with a following wind). Nelly's about 30ft long and around 9ft high and as wide as a Transit Van. Their reckoned to be the best 'Bush Plane' ever made (with wheels on of course). My cousin bought her for peanuts over 50 years ago and as young men we restored her appearance. In those days she 'flew' excuse the pun through her 'Air Worthiness' Certificate every year. He ran a delivery and mail service up and down the Lake and inland where there's suitable landing (Reservoirs are handy). I joined him (financially) to save her from breaking for spares five years ago. We restored her fully when as a marque they became valuable. These days she only really carries passengers and light freight as my relative himself turns 75 this year. I learned to fly in her and to both of us and 'Bobo' our friend and her Engineer, she's a real live entity who always looks after us.

[dextrous63]

Reminds me of the UC 64



Lovely plane.  Glen Miller disappeared in one during a routine flight over the Channel.😬

[GrannyMac]

And on a more positive note.....😊

[klondike]

Glen Miller disappeared in one during a routine flight over the Channel

Plenty of conspiracy theories on that one.

[Mups]

I am sorry to say that I am scared of the thought of whizzing along so unnaturally high up in the sky.
I guess you could call me one of the   - "If we were meant to fly, we'd have had wings"  brigade.

Donkeys years ago when I first married,  we went to Malta for our honeymoon and I was very uncomfortable about flying.   
However,  on we got, but we hadn't gone far when we went through a storm!   It's bad enough being on the ground when lightning is flashing all around,  but to be up there amongst it was even worse.
I have never flown since.

Yes I know we could still have an accident on the roads,  on the sea,  or even walking along the street,  but why increase the risk?    Nah,  I am quite content on the ground, thanks. 

There are so many beautiful places in this country which I have still never seen,  and probably won't now,  and I have no interest in exploring foreign places.    Boring old frump that I am. 

[Raven]

Actually Mups I'm in the same boat as you. The thought of flying fills me with horror.

[Scrumpy]

There are so many beautiful places in this country which I have still never seen,  and probably won't now,  and I have no interest in exploring foreign places.    Boring old frump that I am. 

Having not travelled or any interest in travelling doesn't make a person a 'Boring old frump'..
It's having no sense of humour that does that..
Anyway.. I have been stuck with a boring old frumps who insists on telling you about their travels .. boring.. boring..

[Vlad]

Plenty of conspiracy theories on that one.

Aliens mate...jazz loving aliens

[klondike]

I saw suggestions that he was somehow a potential embarrassment and the USAAF or maybe higher fixed the problem.

[dextrous63]

I'm not In the Mood to discuss this😉

I'd rather tell Mups about my day trip to Grimsby and a look round the old ice-making factory.  Now, where did I put those holiday snaps?

[Cassandra]

Reminds me of the UC 64



Lovely plane.  Glen Miller disappeared in one during a routine flight over the Channel.😬

Very similar craft, same Pratt & Whitney power plant. 'Coop' my cousin has flown one, said they ('Beaver') are incredibly similar to handle, though very few Noorduyns were made as Float Planes by the factory.

Another Golden Age...

[Mups]

I'm not In the Mood to discuss this😉

I'd rather tell Mups about my day trip to Grimsby and a look round the old ice-making factory.  Now, where did I put those holiday snaps?

If you ask me,  there's something rather fishy about Grimsby.  

[muddy]

I am fatalistic about flying .
We either get there or we don't .
That's why I listen but know it's not really going to save me to the air hostesses giving out the in case of an accident displays .
Of course the whole experience now is usually horrible .
From the airports where little hitlers monitor your baggage and make OAPs take off their belts shoes and anything else ( despite the fact there has NEVER been an OAP terrorist ) 

How I hate that shoe bomber he made life difficult for millions .