I am a 42 year old airline pilot, a Captain with bmi, but my real love is aerobatics.
I started flying in 1987 and became an Instructor in 1990, my interest
in aerobatics started very early on during my PPL training. In those days spinning was compulsory and I loved it!
My first aerobatic lessons were with Taff Smith of the Real Aeroplane Company in a Decathlon.
In 1998 I realised a dream when I flew an ex Marlboro team Pitts in my first competition finishing 5th.
A new baby in 1999 and an Airbus command in 2000 left little time for competitions.
I returned in 2001 flying at Standard level in my own Pitts S1S with the following results.
Silver medals at the John Mclean, Golding Barret trophies and at the British National Championships.
Gold medal at the Tiger Trophy.
I also won the Marcus Norman Trophy and the Tiger Club Trophy.
2002 saw a move to Intermediate, my best result being 2nd at the Tiger Trophy.
2003 was a good year with Silver medals at the Newbold, Kernow and Fenland trophies and at the British Nationals.
I again achieved Gold at the Tiger Trophy.
2004 saw a move to Advanced, flying the Pitts S2B, my best result being 4th.
2005 was the last year I flew in competition, this time with the ex Jaguar Extra 230.
Results were 4th at my first competition in the Extra, 4th at the British National championships
and a win in the Advanced Masters.
In 2006 I was given the opportunity to fly the Hawker Hurricane so was busy training on the Harvard and Hurricane.
I also flew the P51D Mustang that year and gained an Unlimited level Display Authorisation on the Extra.
I have over 11,000 hours in total and have flown just about everything from a turbulent to a 737.
Airline wise I’m currently flying the Airbus A 319, 320 and 321.
