Unbeknown to him, his wife Rita had organised a joy flight with the Southern Cross Gliding Club.

On Friday morning, Rita told Bill they had to go to Wallendbeen. As they approached the airport, she suggested they call in and have a look at the gliders, which Bill enjoyed doing each time the club spent time in Cootamundra.

Bill said he received the shock of his life when they reached the Arthur Butler terminal at the airport and a Southern Cross member handed him an indemnity form to be filled out.

“I couldn’t believe what they had organised for me,” Bill said.

Following his 25 minute flight, Bill told the Herald it was “absolutely magnificent”.

“You just can’t believe how you are floating around up there,” Bill said.

“There is virtually no noise.”

Bill and the Gliding Club pilot headed north from the airport, with Bill saying one of the most impressive sights came when they flew over the old quarry.

“It is just amazing what you can see, everything looks kind of square the same as from a regular plane but the hills look different from a glider.

“It is also more peaceful than a normal flight, and not the least bit scary.”

Certainly not afraid of heights, Bill has flown over Canberra in a hot air balloon, however he said it was a great experience second to none to fly over his home town.

As for the gliding experience, Bill said it felt terrific.

“There was a bit of a jerk when they release the tow rope, but besides that it just felt peaceful.”

Having often admired the gliders, Bill said he had no idea prior to Friday whether he would be able to go up in one. He said he was unaware most of the gliders in Cootamundra as part of the Southern Cross Gliding Club were tandem aircraft and being disabled (Bill is a amputee) he said he was not sure of the practicality of being a passenger in a glider.

Making the occasion even more special was the fact his family was in attendance to witness his flight. Amongst those wishing him well as he left the ground were Rita and their two daughters Katrina of Boorowa and local lady Patreece Maxwell, as well as his grandchildren Brendan and Samantha.

When the Herald asked if he would go up in a glider again, Bill answered with a resounding “Yes”.