Member Backgrounds!

[The Pole]

Was wondering what back ground all posters on this forum are from (i.e. working at the airports) or just have a general interest in aviation as a hobbie.
I read threads on here mainly as do not have access to direct info like some who may work at LBA
I wanted to be a commercial pilot from an early age, read books, learnt the ATC lingo but found out I was colour blind so would not be able to obtain instrument rating which was a real blow! Continued with my interest in all things aircraft, listening in etc and decided Air Traffic Control could be for me, but again perfect colour vision required!
I have had lessons in fixed wings at LBA and Helicopters at Coney Park, but I would have only been able to obtain my VFR rating so did not pursue.
I now fly a desk in an office for a living!!! I still listen in and watch the movements overhead.
The best departure from LBA was one summer evening between 1993-2001 (Remember the house i was in at the time) I was listening to the airwaves and Ryanair 737-200 was departing off 14 and the pilot requested an earlier right turn due to weather, which was granted.
He must of lifted the main wheels and banked right over the golf course almost instantly, the tower controller at the time did make some comment on the impressive manoeuvre!
Be interested to here from anyone :good:

 

[White Heather]

Hello The Pole

I saw a similar thing in the mid 80's, this time by a Virgin Boeing 747-200 doing a one off charter to LBA from LGW. It too took off on 14 on a wet, thundery evening, and banked right over the golf course almost as soon as it was high enough to do so without putting its wingtips on the floor. Amazing sight and I still have photos to prove it.

I grew up in the Cookridge area and was watching planes land even before the airport was an airport, and a few years before the current runway was built. I even attended the last SSAFA air display there. I remember seeing DC3's of BKS and even the first Viscounts of BKS and Aer Lingus. My interest in aviation and the development of Leeds Bradford Airport went on from there. I wanted to work in aviation and took exams for BEA at Heathrow, but with only 50 jobs and over 600 applicants I knew I had little chance and so it proved. I ended up working for Midland Bank and then what is now the Dept for Work and Pensions where I am a contract and building project manager.

My interest in the airport led me to jointly form the Leeds Bradford Airport Support Group in the late 1980's and I took part in a public enquiry into the application to remove the night flying restrictions. That was only slightly successful so I also campaigned for the same thing in the early 90's, sending over 15,000 letters of support to Leeds Council. The applicaton this time was approved without a public enquiry and the airport has (until recently) not looked back since. For the past 20 years I have been a representative of the support group on the Airport Consultative Committee, attending to speak on behalf of the supporters of the airport everywhere whenever I get the time off work to do so.

Besides aviation, my interests are my family (I have two daughters), supporting Leeds United , and driving my car. I LOVE cars - well some cars anyway. Some are really boring! I love travel abroad too when I get the chance.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I've never worked in aviation or the travel industry.

I've always had an interest in public transport and, being extremely lucky to have taken early retirement some years ago, have had the time to devote to my hobbies and interests which are several in number.

They range from public transport (especially aviation), to sport (football, cricket and rugby union mainly), to walking and cycling, to helping my wife who is a keen and expert gardener (I'm not but merely provide some sort of geriatric muscle), to cine and video (though cine has been eclipsed by video but I now find less and less time for that, though I do have an extensive library going back to the 1960s), to travelling both in the UK and abroad which we've been fortunate to have done fairly extensively.

Aviation to me means civil aviation. My interest lies primarily in the commercial aspects. I've never been a spotter as such and have never collected aircraft registrations though I have a lot of cine and video of airports going back over forty years, all taken by myself.

I enjoy the sight of aircraft in their natural environment and love the atmosphere of busy airports and busy rail stations; in fact any airport or rail station.

I find civil aviaton, especially the running of airlines, to be an arcane commercial activity and I often wonder how some airlines sometimes make any money at all. Nevertheless, I find it fascinating to try to work out how they do and why some routes that appear dogs are kept going endlessly whilst others that, on the surface, seem winners are cast aside.

 

[The Pole]

Hi,

Thanks for the interesting response, I too, am car mad, follow the mighty whites, but have not been for a good few years, as now have 3 sons and a wife, but am continuing to follow their good fortune at the moment. Not bothered about the FA Cup just hope we go up!

The Pole

 

[Bigman]

I too have never worked in the travel industry, much to my regret. 25 years+ in Financial Services I am afraid.

I am a devoted Loiner, love LUFC and used to go to many Leeds RL matches years ago.
My transport background goes back to my toddler days, as living close to the Leeds - Bradford line I developed an early interest in trains. from my school playground in Wortley, I used to love watching the Deltics thrash up the 1 in 50 gradient to Armley Moor on the morning Kings Cross-Bradford trains.

My interest in aviation came much later. I moved to Yeadon in 1997 to be close to the airport, but I started going up to the aipport in 1993. I flew to Brussels that year on a Sabena Brasilia, and it all started from there.

 

[backtrack]

My interest in Aviation, in particular commercial came at an early age, something i have continued with to date. I work within aviation at the airport at the moment, but persuing my career as a commercial pilot alongside my job, studying for JAA-FCL exams/ ATPL exams and building of my flying hours also.

I am a strong supporter of airport growth and airline growth. I think the travel industry can be a booming market, one which we should all take note of, as many take for granted. Yes, i understand what the green fingered sort are saying, in relation to global warming and effects upon the atmosphere, but like for like in terms of people carried etc compared to a car or a 30 year old bus, air travel is far superior in terms of polution and the rest of it.

I uphold strong links with both LBA and MAN, which i hope i can bring news to this forum. I am also a very big fan of the whites, LUFC. Elland Road is like my second home, i attend every game i can and cant wait to see us back in the premier league.

 

[ex_crew]

I joined British Caledonian in 1987 just before the merger with B.A. I flew on 1-11s, DC-10s and 747s. After the merger with B.A I worked on 777's and 747-400s.

I was also a member of the British Airways promotional team, representing them at corporate events and operating on VIP flights.


I've had a keen interest in LBA for many, many years. I remember once cycling from Rothwell to the aiport in 1982 when I was about 11 and all I saw was a Genair shorts, but it was worth it.

I enjoy photography and computers. I now work as an Regional Account Manager for a lottery company.

 

[White Heather]

Genair - now that takes me back. Didn't they fly in British Caledonian colours? If they did, there is one of their old aircraft in use at the gliding club at Pocklington. There is only the fuselage left - not sure what it is used for, but you can see it, and an old Leeds City Transport bus (now painted yellow) parked up on the airfield from the A1079.

This is a really interesting thread. Hope a few more people tell us their backgrounds.

 

[The Pole]

Hi White Heather,

Thanks it is interesting to know how/where members get their interest in LBA and aviation in general from! I remember the Shorts 330's and 360's, do you recall Capital Airlines! The Jet2 on the 80's! (NOT). Also Spantax that was the first airline I flew on as a teenager from LBA.

Ex Crew,

I too used to cycle from Horsforh to the airport and was on Scotland Lane and heard the roaring of reverse thrusters and when I emerged at the field where the landing lights are the Tristar had fallen off the end of 14. I was that shocked I turned back home to tell my parents and then cycled back again, I must have been mad!
What did you do when you worked for BeeCal / BA. You must be a similar age to me from what you have said in your text.

 

[User0001]

Yes Heather, it operated with B-Cal colours. I think they merged with Casair to form the now Eastern Airlines, Genair were Humberside based.

 

[User0001]

I too used to cycle from Horsforh to the airport and was on Scotland Lane and heard the roaring of reverse thrusters and when I emerged at the field where the landing lights are the Tristar had fallen off the end of 14. I was that shocked I turned back home to tell my parents and then cycled back again, I must have been mad!
What did you do when you worked for BeeCal / BA. You must be a similar age to me from what you have said in your text.

Gosh, I remember Spantax also Hispania, Aviaco and the Iberia A300 during one Summer that arrived in the afternoon.

Although the airport was much quieter back then, it was more interesting

I was cabin staff with B-Cal ( we were not allowed to say Cabin Crew, it was far to B.A ) based at LGW.
When I started I was the youngest crew member with the carrier, I'm 44 now.

B-Cal was special but very strict, especially for a council lad from Leeds . A lot of the older female crew were ex BUA and some the original Caledonian Airways, yes there was a Caledonian Airways before B-Cal. They were very, very posh all from good stock.
If for some reason we needed to go into First Class we had to first call them and wait to be invited.


It was a shame when B.A took over, a lot of the crew to this day are still angry and dislike the enormity of B.A.

Great days though. I'm a member of a site called B-Cal re-united and its great to see some old photos of the crews and aircraft.

 

[White Heather]

Thanks it is interesting to know how/where members get their interest in LBA and aviation in general from! I remember the Shorts 330's and 360's, do you recall Capital Airlines! The Jet2 on the 80's! (NOT). Also Spantax that was the first airline I flew on as a teenager from LBA.

Yes I remember the Shorts 330's (mainly Genair and Metropolitan Airlines to Glasgow) and the many 360's we had at LBA (Aer Lingus, Genair and particularly Capital Airlines). It seemed that at one time every other aircraft at LBA was a 360 and now I can't even remember the last time I saw one. It is years ago. They were almost like 'disposable airliners!!' It was sad to see the end of British Caledonian - nice livery although I wasn't too keen on the tartan outfits for the trolley dolly's.

As for Spantax - a regular airline operating on behalf of Intasun holidays and Dave Simpson travel, but they had a reputation for 'heart in the mouth' flying and frequently demonstrated it too.

I was in Suffolk on 27 May 1984 when British Airtours Tristar G-BBAI went off the runway but remember seeing it nose down on the TV. As soon as I saw it I knew it was LBA even though I was in the garden and the sound was off. A friend of mine took 'as it happened' photos which were published in the Evening Post and National papers.

 

[ex_crew]

I flew with a couple of crew that were on that flight, quite interesting listening to their stories.

 

[White Heather]

I can imagine! It must have been scary to say the least when the front of the aircraft tipped over the edge and particularly for the passengers sitting in the back looking forward. I seem to recall Lincoln City football club were on the flight - they had been taken to Majorca by the club to recover from the shock of the Bradford City fire which was not long before. At the time, it seemed pretty clear that the accident was caused by the fact that it landed after the tunnel (ie on the unextended runway) and didn't get its nose wheel down until it was two thirds down the runway, but I recall the captain was exonerated and that the aircraft had not braked as quickly as the Lockheed data suggested it should. That led to the airport runway being re-grooved to improve braking action in wet weather, although there was no suggestion it was actually the fault of the runway if I recall correctly.

Irrespective of what the report said though, virtually every witness to the accident said the same thing - that had the aircraft landed where it was supposed to land, it would not have gone off the end of the runway.

 

[User0001]

What I can say is the captain involved had a " colourful" reputation, this incident certainly enhanced it.

 

[pug]

I work within aviation at the airport at the moment, but persuing my career as a commercial pilot alongside my job, studying for JAA-FCL exams/ ATPL exams and building of my flying hours also.

'Type rated' you dont happen to be doing it at a well known LBA based FTO do you? If so any feedback for good or bad would be appreciated muchly! Im looking at them myself if i decide the market gets better in a couple of years. Currently getting toward the end of my PPL. On nav at the moment so still some way to go but no rush at the moment.

 

[backtrack]

I have done some of my flying at (what i think you mean) the well known FBO at LBA indeed. I have done much ground school there, plus my RT licence with Malcolm Dobson. I think there are expensive but the quality of teaching and friendly atmosphere is good. What aircraft are you flying in? I did mine in the C172.

I also recomend (perhaps more in terms of hour building) to look at some overseas schools. Im flying out to Florida in a few weeks time to take advantage of the fantastic flying weather etc over there. I have many friends both currently studying in Leeds, and some that have gone on to complete CPL status. They have gained PPL's on the R200 and the C152.

A good friend of mine has just been given a job as FO for Ryanair, hes having the time of his life and thinks every penny was worthwhile. I know its hard to understand this when we know how costly it is now, but if you go commercial and get a job with an airline...i guess it pays off.

 

[pug]

Did your friend go modular by any chance? I have a very good friend, ive known since primary school, at FR who went intergrated at Oxford, the SSTR scheme puts me off though and i would prefer to keep costs down.

I take your point re. USA, i can get a good bundle at my club as and when i need to, though i was considering a share in a C-150.

Im flying C-150's at the moment, not a bad little thing but quite rough in windy weather as you may know. I remember powered stalls being fun though!

If its multiflight then i believe they are doing a good rate for BRS groundschool and the MCC course... I would like to keep costs down so not to restrict my options to big shiny jets.... I will also be past 30 by the time i qualify, assuming i go ahead with it!

 

[Aviador]

My background? where do I start?

As a kid I grew up living in Yeadon. I went to Yeadon Westfield Junior School where I remember watching the Wardair 747 landing and departing each week back in the 80's. Around the same time my mum got a job working at the airport. I used to go with my dad to pick her up from work. Back then security was non existent and she was able to show me around the airport and take me to all the places that are now restricted. From then I became more and more interested in aircraft and the airport and my dad used to take me to watch the aircraft at the cemetery end of the runway.

I always wanted to become a pilot from a young age but my eye sight was always so bad that I knew that this would always stay a dream. I remained interested in airports and aviation throughout my childhood and through my early teens I used to combine my interest with another hobby of mine which was art and design. I used to spend hours designing airports with every last detail conceivable. Towards the end of my teenage years I became interested in photography which lead to a continued interest in aviation and aircraft through taking pictures from the same locations that I used to go to with my dad.

Work wise I left school during the last recession and I found it very difficult to get a job, but eventually I managed to get a job working for a retail chain. The same company trained me up as a manager and I eventually moved on from there to work as a retail manager for another well known company. Eventually I became bored of working in retail and I got a job at the airport so I am probably as close as I will ever get to my childhood dream.

I am married to a very successful woman who works for a very well known Insurance and Pension company. We are now expecting our first child later in the year.

 

[The Pole]

Aviador you quote,

"I used to go with my dad to pick her up from work. Back then security was non existent and she was able to show me around the airport and take me to all the places that are now restricted."

I remember writing to (I think it was Gordon Dennison?) and asking for a visit to the control tower as a child (in the 80s) and stated in letter I would bring an adult if required for security. This was granted and it was ok to go without an adult but I took my grandfather as he had an interest in aviation, it was a good, interesting fews hours.

I would love to go and sit up there now as an observer, could spend a week there!!!