David Young
David Young is one of the most experienced microlight instructors in the country with over 7,000 hours of airbourne time teaching people to fly. He formed PFT (Cotswolds) in 1988 and moved to Kemble in 1995 re-opening the former RAF base for civilian flying. He has taken part in two amazing flying expeditions. In 1986 he and Simon Baker became the first two pilots ever to fly open cockpit aircraft in the mountains of Nepal where they were suporting the Dhud Kosi white water canoeing expedition. A film, 'Thin Air White Water' was made which includes spectacular aerial footage.
In 1988 David set off with travel writer Christina Dodwell to fly 7,000 miles across West Africa. This was the first ever unsuported microlight expedition. By that we mean there were no four wheel drive vehicles following with loads of kit - it was just two people in a microlight. David carried sufficient tools with him to be able to de-coke the two stroke engines (three times on the four month journey) and carry out other running repairs.
David was a professional journalist and photographer before becoming addicted to flying in the early 80's. He was a member of the British Microlight Aircraft Association National Council for three years and Chairman of the Training Committee for five years, resigning these voluntary posts only when the work load at Kemble became too much.
Now his main responsibility at Kemble is as the Airfield Manager but he is as enthusiastic as ever about teaching flying and even if you do not fly with him during basic training he will check you out - and provide extra teaching input if necessary - before it is time for him, as an Examiner, to take you through the General Skills Test (GST) to gain your NPPL (Microlights).
David has a light aircraft PPL and has flown hanggliders and paragliders.
Mike Oakley
Mike gained his early microlight flying experience in 'trikes' down under - in Australia. Coming to Kemble Australianised Mike thought he'd just need a quick check out with David and he'd be away in a UK microlight and there'd be a UK Licence in the post - well it wasn't quite as easy as that!
Quickly appreciating that the British training standards are second to none, and perfectly valid for safety reasons, Mike was inspired to study for his instructor rating and switch to three axis flying machines. He trained with Gerry Breen in Portugal and became an Assitant Flying Instructor with PFT (Cotswolds) in June 2003. He gained his full Flying Instructor ticket in the minimum ten months and he is also now a Ground Examiner.
Mike, like David, now teaches in flexwing and fixed wing microlights. In Australia he flew in a six week expedition in the North West in the harsh outback conditions and he has flown extensively across the UK. Taking the lead in Kemble Flying Club adventures he has been as far as John O'Groates and Lands End - twice.
Nick Howard
Nick Howard is an Assistant Flying Instructor and in addition to having ammased considerable experience training over the last year in three axis aircraft Nick is converting to flexwing aircraft too. In addition to his flying tasks Nick tries to be in the office in the mornings when he is not flying to answer the telephones and help with the administration tasks. Nick has had all important personal experience participating in the Fly UK event.