volant adj. engaged in flight espieglerie n. impish or playful behaviour; mischief apopemptic adj. pertaining to leave-taking or departing réclame n. publicity or notoriety In 1953, 61-year-old British ace Christopher Draper flew an Auster monoplane under 15 of the 18 bridges on the Thames, negotiating 50-foot arches at 90 mph. “I did it for the publicity,” he told the press. “For 14 months I have been out of a job, and I’m broke. I wanted to prove that I am still fit, useful and worth employing. … It was my last-ever flight — I meant it as a spectacular swan...