Sightseeing Route: Big Cotswold houses

Britain’s wealthiest 1% may own 50% of its land, but they don’t own the sky… There aren’t many occasions when you can look down on the rich and powerful. High hedges and drystone walls might stop ramblers and paparazzi, but they do nothing to a nosey pilot. My aerial playground (the Cotswolds) is littered with…

The Stratospheric Flyers

First published in FLYER magazine, October 2020. The Stratospheric Flyers A small group of US Air Force aviators are flying regularly from the Cotswolds, launching themselves to the edge of space in one of the most unique aircraft the world has ever seen. “With most aircraft, once you touchdown, the hard work is often done…

Magneto Failure

From magneto failure to in the air again after just 27 hours.

Flying into RAF Fairford

On Friday 6 September I finally completed something that I’d always wanted to do, land an aircraft that I was flying myself on the 3 kilometres of tarmac at RAF Fairford. My first experience of landing at the airbase was in July 2003 on board a British Airways Boeing 747-400, with my old man as…

Worx Hydroshot

The idea of using a pressure washer to clean your pride and joy might raise some eyebrows. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find a way of washing our aeroplane quickly, whilst not risking paintwork or skin and all without being anywhere near a wall socket or tap. The situation will be familiar to many…

Rotary Flying

On a sunny but blustery day in August I was very lucky to be taken for a trip in an R44; only my third experience in a helicopter! I was meeting ‘Instagram friend’ Rachel at our strip. Our plan was to fly the RV up to Wellesbourne before jumping into a helicopter and flying to…