Aviation
Air Cadet Gliding
1991 to 1994 / 2009 to 2011
My life-long devotion to aviation began at a very early age. I saw the movie Top Gun aged 11, was instantly hooked and joined the Air Cadets as soon as I was old enough. It's there that I first learned to fly, in gliders, at 618 VGS West Malling. Over the next few years I trained to be an instructor and several years later, in 2009, I flew as a civilian instructor at 662 VGS at RAF Kirknewton.
Aeronautical Engineering
2002 to 2004
In the early 2000's I studied Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Highlands and Islands, Perth.
Flying for Fun
2006 to 2012
After completing my private pilot's license in 2007, I flew a wide range of light aircraft and helicopters for several years. My adventures took me far and wide, with trips across the length and bredth of the UK, as well as to our neighbouring islands. Flying in all weathers, both day and night-time, I've enjoyed the freedom and discipline that comes with aircraft operations.
Commercial Pilot Training
2007 to 2009
Intending to persue a career as a commercial pilot, in the late-2000's I completed my flight training with Tayside Aviation and Bristol Ground School. Towards the end of my training the 2008 finanical crash arrived and all the airlines froze recruitment for the next several years, derailing my plans but opening up my current career path in business.
Drones
2019 to 2024
Borne from an interest in the UK's rapidly expanding drone industry, I created AV8 Flight School; the UK's first fully virtual aviation training provider. Working under an approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, AV8 set a new industry benchmark for scalable learning through automation and digital transformation. Over the course of the next 5 years we taught thousands of new commercial UAV operators how to fly, won multiple awards, and eventually became the training partner of choice for the majority of the UK's major drone companies.
Fighter Jets in VR
2019 to Present
