In the run-up to this summer's Sky Sheppey celebrations, we are publishing historic features written by members of the organising committee.

This week, Cllr Bill Betts looks at the early days of flight on the Island and how the rules and regulations were put in place.

The ‘Cowboys’

In this centenary year of British Aviation, much will be written on the records and achievements of the early Island aviators, but what sort of people would perform so many outlandish feats, how were they able to get away with it?

For a start, there were no regulations controlling flying, proper regulation was a couple of decades away.

It was virtually a free-for all, they could take off and land on any suitable piece of land, no flight plans or flight paths to be filed, often arriving without permission, and unannounced except by the sound of their approaching aircraft.

Contrast this with the regulations swiftly put in place with the advent of the motor car, illustrated when the Wright Brothers returning to London from one of their visits to Sheppey, being driven by Warwick Wright (no relation) in his Rolls Royce, being caught in a police speed trap on Blackheath travelling at 32mph!

First flight over Eastchurch

In fairness to them they did, while learning how to fly and control their lumbering string-bags, confine themselves to the immediate vicinity of the flying fields, this could not last of course, once they had the bit between their teeth they were off!

An eyewitness, EA Dennis, recorded the first flight over Eastchurch Village and the excitement it caused, most folk at this time had not seen an airplane.

He wrote: "Just as the bells of the village church were ringing for evening service, Cecil Grace astonished everybody by flying over the village.

"He flew low over the rooftops, nearly brushing the trees of the Rectory orchard, and narrowly missing the church tower.

"The bellringers hurriedly set their bells and rushed out to see this amazing sight, and well they might, for nothing like it had ever been seen, they were witnessing one of the first flights of its kind ever to be made."

He added: "Several of the local inhabitants had quickly gathered near the church to watch the machine fly back to the aerodrome.

"One of them said‘He’s flying faster now'. To which an ancient yokel replied 'Course he is, he’s flying downhill, ain't he, you fool'.”

Frank McClean was one who used the lax rules on flying to make his point, not only was he Sheppey’s main benefactor, but he was one of those who pressured the Admiralty on the use of aircraft.

He demonstrated their abilities by flying a floatplane from Harty, up the River Thames, passing through the arches of Tower Bridge and under the other bridges before alighting near Parliament.

On his return trip the police required him to pass under the bridges on the water, having cleared the bridges he attempted to take off but damaged his aircraft and was forced to return it to Sheppey by road, a bit of a dent in his demonstration.

Attempt that today and you will probably become a guest of Her Majesty, rather than the Knighthood he was later granted!

Following the establishment of the Royal Naval Air Station at Eastchurch the naval flyers now came to the fore, they were actively encouraged to make many flights to hone their skills, even carrying passengers, including girlfriends.

Defending showing off

Winston Churchill famously defended this when later questioned in Parliament.

With their developed skills and confidence they started to ‘show off’, buzzing warships at anchor in Sheerness, looping around the Commander in Chief’s house at Chatham and attempting to set records.

One such record attempt involved Lt Samson, who decided to go for the British endurance record.

For the first hour the weather conditions were fairly good, but then a change for the worse set in, the sky becoming overcast with stormy clouds, and a strong ground wind springing up.

Samson had no intention, however, of coming down, and continued to fly with almost monotonous regularity. After four hours, the observers on the ground heard a voice coming from the aeroplane each time it passed overhead, but owing to the roar of the engine they could not make out what the aviator was shouting.

Someone suggested that he was singing, but at last, by the aid of an ear trumpet, the words were caught.

It appears that the aviator's watch had stopped, and he wanted to know the time.

A blackboard was at once secured from the lecture room, and on this the time was chalked every five minutes.

Shortly after 11.15am Lt Samson descended, having been in the air 4 hrs. 58 mins, a new record.

Cutting edge technology had saved the day, an ear trumpet, blackboard and chalk! Samson was also involved when he and Lt Longmore decided to visit the camp of the European Circuit Flyers at Dover, a large crowd had gathered expecting to see some flying, but the circuit flyers were not disposed to fly more than necessary, gloom had descended on the assembled spectators when the sound of approaching aircraft was heard.

Then the outlines of two Short aircraft appeared overhead, knowledgeable spectators soon spread the word that they were Naval fliers from Eastchurch, the British had arrived!

Rule Brittannia

Swooping down in graceful curves the two pilots landed gently in the centre of the camp, being given an ovation by the grateful spectators.

After a short rest the naval pilots made several flights carrying passengers, greatly impressing with their skill and precision.

After spending the night at the camp the two fliers flew their biplanes back to Eastchurch. Job done! They had flown the flag, Rule Britannia!

While treating these feats with a touch of humour, we must remember these early fliers had serious intentions; they were pushing at the boundaries of what was possible, experimenting, and developing techniques and aircraft design, putting their lives on the line, and paying the price all too often.

So while celebrating our centenary year, let us remember all those who have served this country in the air over the years.