One of my main passions is flying.  I have a UK PPL(A) with IMC and Night ratings, and have just started studying for the CPL/ATPL ground examinations as I am hoping to eventually go on to obtain a commercial license and to instruct.  But I love anything to do with flying and will try just about anything once!!

 Ravenair - Lancashire Aero Club - Nordhordland Flyklubb - Annemasse Flying Club - Staffordshire Gliding Club - Helicopters - 'Flyer' List - PPRuNe - BWPA

G-FLAV at Liverpool

Ravenair

I learned to fly with Ravenair, who until the construction of the new runway were based at Manchester airport.  They are now based at Liverpool, and have a fleet of several Tomahawks, a Cherokee, Aztecs, Senecas and a Partenavia.  I've done most of my flying in their PA38s, but have also flown their PA28-140.

Some of the Ravenair PS38s

Lancashire Aero Club

I'm also a member at Barton where I've done some aerobatics in their C150 Aerobat and Bellanca Citabria, and have also been lucky enough to experience some aeros in a Yak 52 which is based there. (It's a lovely aircraft to fly!)

Nordhordland Flyklubb

In July 1999 we went on holiday to Norway, and just north of Bergen at a little village called Manger discovered the Nordhordland Flyklubb and a very nice man called Arnfinn Halland.  With him I spent an amazing 1:40 in his PA18-150 Seaplane learning how to fly 'circuits' on water, and flying up the fjords and landing on mountain-top lakes - a truly wonderful experience which I would recommend to anyone!

LN-HHI... a wonderful flying experience!

Annemasse Flying Club

In February 2000 I spent a weekend in Geneva, and just to the south over the French border found 'Le Club Aéronautique d'Annemasse', where I hired a DR-400 and spent an hour flying around Mont Blanc.  The weather was glorious, the scenery fantastic, and the aircraft very nice to fly... I wish I lived nearer!!!

The apron at Annemasse, looking south towards Mont Blanc 

Staffordshire Gliding Club

So many people had told me that gliding was a great experience and could really improve your flying in powered aircraft, that eventually I decided I just had to try it!  So both myself and my 9 year-old son Chris went along for a trial lesson at the at the Staffordshire Gliding Club at Seighford.  We both really loved it, and are intending to go back on a regular basis!

SGC's ASK21

Helicopters

I've had a couple of lessons in an R22, both with the Helicentre at Liverpool and with Tiger Helicopters when they were at the 1999 Sleap open day and fly-in.  It's something I'd really like to do more of, but unfortunately it's far too expensive!  (I have enough trouble affording my fixed-wing flying!)

One of Tiger's R22s at Sleap 

The 'Flyer' List and PPRuNe

I've made a great many friends through the Flyer email list and PPRuNe.  The Flyer List is an online mailing list of around 300 people started up by the readers of 'Flyer' magazine.  Most of us live in the UK and are private pilots, flying instructors, commercial pilots or 'would-be' pilots;  we arrange a monthly fly-in to various parts of the country, and occasionally fly over to France too.  Recent fly-ins I've attended have included Sleap, Macon & Swansea.

Me with G-FLAV at Welshpool

The Professional Pilot's Rumour Network (PRuNe) has thousands of members consisting of airline pilots, instructors, 'wannabes', and just about anyone with an interest in aviation. There is a lot of useful information there for those aspiring to a commercial career, as well as news, gossip, social events and a bit of fun!  I've met some great guys through the forum... and many thanks to my friends at Maersk and Monarch, who so far this year have taken me on jumpseat rides to Milan, Tenerife, Copenhagen Stuttgart and Palma!