The Beatles began recording 'Flying' on September 8, 1967 for the double EP "Magical Mystery Tour." At this point, the song was called 'Aerial Tour Instrumental' and was the first song composed jointly by all four Beatles. Six takes were recorded this day and tape reductions were made (take 6 into takes 7 and 8), and overdubs were added to take 8. Four mono mixes were prepared, the fourth being "best." This mix has been bootlegged. More overdubs were added to take 8 on September 28 - another mellotron, guitar and percussion.
Five takes of the tape loops heard at the end of the song were then recorded, the fifth being added to track 4 of take 8. This take has also been bootlegged (both forwards and backwards) and can be found on "The Beatles: The Ultimate Collection Volume 1" (CD). Two mono mixes were prepared, the second being "best" and the song was edited from 9'36" to 2'14". The stereo mix was prepared November 7. The tape loops at the end of this song come in at different places in stereo and mono and an extra guitar can be heard on the mono version.
