aviation
A life-long love of maps and travel combines in an interest in navigation and Paddy at one time considered piloting or navigation as a career option. He has always favoured the airborne over watercraft. Co-producing a cinema short, Circus in the Sky, for a company he founded with Director/Cameraman Les Parrott and Producer Kit Williams, led to flying lessons at Gloucester and another life-passion. Soon joining an aircraft-owning group, he became a partner in the new Classic Flying Club at Staverton Airport, which quickly added a bar and restaurant to its facilities. Serving on the Airport Users' Action Group, he became involved with aviation lobbying and promoted a new airfield proposed by the Gwent County Council, for which the funding never came through. Moving base to Oaksey Park saw him involved in that airfield's fight for survival against local disinformation.
Many instructors and students of his acquaintance went on to fly for airlines, offering some opportunities for spectacular trips, while privately he flew extensively in the UK and Europe both for business and pleasure, obtaining both night and instrument flying qualifications. Attending air races, strictly as a spectator, led to Paddy's becoming a regular member of the Royal Aero Club commentary team from 1989.
Paddy produced a regular newsletter/magazine for the Classic Flying Club and has written articles on aspects of aviation safety.
Many instructors and students of his acquaintance went on to fly for airlines, offering some opportunities for spectacular trips, while privately he flew extensively in the UK and Europe both for business and pleasure, obtaining both night and instrument flying qualifications. Attending air races, strictly as a spectator, led to Paddy's becoming a regular member of the Royal Aero Club commentary team from 1989.
Paddy produced a regular newsletter/magazine for the Classic Flying Club and has written articles on aspects of aviation safety.
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