After graduation in Engineering I had to do the mandatory military service for a year, I was ordered to be a Military Policeman in traffic duty. This because I am rather tall, about 190 cm, but mainly because I know how to calculate, we were calculating strength of roads and bridges so we could plan for movements of military units and also directing the traffic flows. I continued to drive taxi extra during my military service.
I have been interested in flying aircraft for many years; I started to study for a pilot’s license before my first real job. During the last 3 years of flying I flew 200 hours and that is a lot for a private pilot. I had a European Private Pilot’s License (PPL) and that was validated in Thailand so I could fly myself by hiring aircraft at my club, Thai Flying Club in Bang Phra.
In Sweden qualified pilots can be appointed to fly for the Swedish Armed Forces in the Army flight wing and I had a contract to fly for them not less than 34 hours per year. We were organized in Airborne Intelligence Units and I flew surveillance missions. We also had to do ordinary military training apart from flying. My contract with the Army expired 4 years ago and I decided not to renew it as it forced me to be in Sweden for a certain time every year and I did not want to restrict my freedom to go to other countries when I wanted.
Now I have given up flying, I have flown my hours and look back at many good memories. It was a great time with many good friends, a kind of friendship that is hard to find from other people than from those you sometimes have to trust to put your life in their hands…