The committee was selected for its willingness to help improve the airfield and the club and assist club members and students. We have a comprehensive range of experience, some recently passing GST and some flying for many years. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Meet the Committee
PHIL
I have a passion for Microlight flying following in my dad’s footsteps, I gained my pilot’s licence in 2007. After many years of pleasure flying and gaining flying experience, I decided to develop my flying skills even further by becoming an instructor. In 2019 I completed this course in Gap Tallard, in the French Alps. I have amassed many instructional hours on flexwings and have now started to teach my teenage daughter to fly. I recently started to fly 3 axis PPL(A) and aim to obtain this license in 2025.
JIM
I began flying Flexwing microlights in 1987 on a Pegasus XL at Clench Common and have gained qualifications on Paragliders, Hang-Gliders and a PPL(A). Retiring from the Military after flying twin-engine helicopters, attaining 1500 hrs and also twin-engine turbine aeroplanes with an instructor rating for 5000 hrs, I returned to Flexwings completing my license in Spain.
My passion for all things flying continues and I enjoy sharing knowledge with likeminded pilots. I currently fly a Quik Explorer 912S as regularly as I can and enjoy nothing more than flying with company.
VICTOR
From the age of 12, I have ridden motorbikes and loved the feeling of freedom this brought, but the arrival of my children and my work commitments didn’t allow the time to ride.
Fast forward twenty years to the COVID pandemic, while walking with the family, I saw a Flexwing microlight take off, and I was instantly hooked. I immediately enquired about flying lessons and impetuously purchased a Mainair Blade 912 on which to learn and I still fly today.
I started my lessons with Martin in March 2022 and fitted my lessons in between work commitments and weather windows, going solo in September 2024 and completing my GST in April 2025. As a new pilot I am now try-ing to build up my hours and experience whilst juggling with the usual time constraints – weather, family, work and life.
JOHN
I always harboured an ambition to be a pilot and often watched Flexwings passing overhead, thinking, “that looks fun, I’d like to do that”. When circumstances eventually enabled me to have a go, my first lesson was a revelation and that was it – I was hooked! During training, after much research, I decided to buy a GT450. I completed my training in this aircraft and continue to fly it to this today.
I obtained my pilot’s licence in May 2024. Within 12 months, I’d visited 48 different airfields, some several times, and fulfilled one rite of passage, with the 48th airfield being a channel crossing to Le Touquet, France. Now retired, I will continue to expand my horizons and include touring in my new flying experiences.
ROB
Ever since I can remember, the enchantment of flight has been my lifelong dream.
In my late teens, I took my first formal step toward that dream, training for my
Private Pilot Licence in a Cessna 152 at Netherthorpe. Although I only managed 20
Hours before financial commitments forced me to pause, the passion for
flying had already taken permanent root. I went on to fly, firstly a paraglider and then paramotors, to enjoy the freedom that powered flight gave me.
Realising that flying larger aircraft required a PPL and more money, I began flying micro-lights in July 2020. Within 2 months, I had completed my GST. My first aircraft was a Mainair Blade, and I now fly a P&M QuikR. I’ve accumulated 230 hrs over the last 5 years and now look forward to flying far and wide, accumulating as much experience as I can, and
Constantly challenging myself. I also produce flying videos to share my passion and post on YouTube.
