Talks
LIFT IS A GIFT BUT THRUST IS A MUST. My first talk is about early days trying to find work as an air hostess in the aviation industry only to be rejected by over 10 companies. So I had a go at the front end instead and I learnt to fly. I became a flying instructor (amusing stories about some of my students including an Arab Sheik’s son) and eventually I qualified as an executive jet pilot, thrown in at the deep end with VIP flights based at London Heathrow.
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GAME JET & MATCH . My 2nd talk is about flying the executive jets including when things can go wrong eg. getting impounded in Siberia. Poignant reflections on air ambulance work . Light hearted and entertaining glimpses into the world of global romping flying celebs, pop stars, oligarchs and jet setters around. The ups and downs of private jet charter.
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FLIGHTS ,CAMERA, ACTION ! My 3rd talk is about working for Aces High, a filming company specializing in sales of historic aircraft. I ferried a genuine WW2 bomber over the Atlantic and subsequently flew it in a TV series for LWT with highly credentialled pilots in their Spitfires and Messerschmitts. I talk of Memphis Belle and other films. Plus the airshows in which I flew the DC3 the Junkers JU52 Nazi plane. Other interesting missions, culminating in my work as assistant to the aerial coordinator on the James Bond films.
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FLYING THE BOEING 727 My 4th talk is about flying a high end private Boeing for an international arms dealer based between Cyprus Dubai Moscow and London . I also flew the 727 for an airliner and freighter based in Gatwick. Nostalgic stuff because this was 3 crew cockpit ( now out of service.) I mention tricky approaches, difficult landings in bad weather. ( Good video footage of me landing in a bad storm at STN)
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TALES FROM THE SLIPSTREAM this talk is about other peoples’ stories. We have hours down route or in the cruise to share stories, I have heard so many good ones from fellow crew members, both cabin crew, flight deck and engineers, I thought they should not go undocumented. Tales of daring do – even one from a friend who survived a crash into the sea.
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THREE CHEERS FOR THE PIONEERS A history of the evolution of flight, a celebration of great pioneers, their vision, courage and indeed crashes!…. from early balloonists to astronauts. A study of some extraordinary characters (Wright bros, Amy Johnson, Emilia Earhart, Lindberg, Frank Whittle and many more) and the seminal moments within this industry which has moved with astonishing swiftness.
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THE BEAUTY OF THE PLANET .This talk is quite different , not so much about the ‘planes but about the things I have seen from those ‘planes. I celebrate the inexhaustible wonders of the planet, describing the natural world and wonderful meteorology which give us Aurora Borealis, sunsets, moonscapes, tropical storms, St. Elmo’s fire and explain how these marvellous phenomena come about. That hard earned seat in the front has afforded me special glimpses of the fantastic and miraculous workings of our atmosphere around this unique planet. A moving and reflective talk.
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