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. He returned to flying instruction full time in August 2009 after a five year stint as the airport's manager in order to be directlty involved with flying again and in particular with his Club.
As Airport manager he saw Kemble through the most significant change in its history; he was a key player in the battles with the local authorities over planning matters - now resolved - he was also instrumental in Kemble gaining 'airport status' and the subsequent hangar development. He also ensured the regrading of the Kemble grass runway which is especially useful for microlight training.
David has been an FIC Instructor for many years which means he is qualified to train new instructors and in April this year the school at Hangar 1 Woodside was approved by the CAA for Instructor Courses which David is now running in the recently completed new lecture room. As an NPPL (Microlight\) Examiner David is responsible for conducting students General Skills Test (GST) to complete the qualifications for their flying licence.
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 -and since converting to a UK licence and becoming a Flying Instructor he has flown all over the UK, extensively in Euope and in India and North Africa.
In Australia Mike flew in a six week expedition in the North West in the harsh outback conditions and his UK flying trips have been as leader taking students on Kemble Flying Club adventures as far as John O'Groates, Northern Ireland and the Isles of Scilly.
Mike is a NPPL (Microlight) examiner and he teaches on flexwing and fixed wing microlights and is a Permit to Fly check pilot. He also holds a light aircraft licence.
As a Director of Snowbird Aviation Ltd he is involved with developing a kit built microlight which will be available for sale in the near future.