LAC FLIGHT SCHOOL

OUR TEAM

TONY

HEAD OF TRAINING

Tony is our very own Duracell bunny who is always on the go, he absolutely loves flying and has been instructing now for many years he has accumulated over 10,000 hours in light aircraft.

 

Tony used to parachute jump in his spare time when he was younger, he enjoys chess and he used to work in HR for the prison service so don't suprised if uses them as navigational areas of interest as part of your lesson!

 

 

KATE

FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND OWNER OF MURPHY

Kate started at the flying school when she was only 15, in between university at Sheffield and a job in audiology she is still with us today.

Kate has a 4 year old little boy, Leo and enjoys  taking Murphy out for walks (or he takes her these days), she is one of our full time instructors.

IAN

FLYING INSTRUCTOR AND EXAMINER

PHIL

DEPUTY HEAD OF TRAINING 

Phil was in the RAF section of his school’s CCF (Combined Cadet Force).  Flew several times in Chipmunks and also got a glider pilot’s licence at RAF Kirknewton.  Qualified as a Solicitor in 1982 and worked as a prosecuting lawyer until retirement in 2018.  The last 20 years he spent appearing in the Crown Court in rather strange attire!   He learned to fly with LAC Flying School in 2010/11 and was addicted from the start.   On retirement in April 2018 he went through the instructor course at Barton and began instructing in August 2018.  He is now absolutely loving it.  His other interests include walking, cycling, playing the piano and organ also singing with the Halle Choir where he recently got my 20 year service award.

DAVID

WEEKEND FLYING INSTRUCTOR

David Winterbottom started out in 1980 on a air cadet scholarship becoming an instructor in 1985.  He is a weekend flight instructor with an interest in aviation history, he also enjoys playing squash.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JOHN

FLYING INSTRUCTOR

John originally wanted to learn to fly so he could use the aircraft for business trips and Holidays, which he certainly did, especially on the Holiday front.

Touring Europe on many occasions, then culminating in 2 big trips to Tenerife and Crete.

He has over 5000 hours flight time and been instructing for 10 years at Barton. In his spare time he likse playing Badminton, Table Tennis and Cycling

 

CHRIS

FLYING INSTRUCTOR

Chris is one of our part time instructors, his day job is working as a first officer for Thomas Cook.

 

Chris started off in aviation with the air cadets for 8 years and has now been instructing for 3 years with us. He has lots of experience teaching people to fly and always believed anyone can fly...

 

In his spare time he enjoys cycling and walking.

 

MALCOLM

 FLYING INSTRUCTOR

Malcolm has had aviation in his blood having grown up near many RAF bases. He started gliding at University and obtained a PPL after that. He has flown all over the world on holidays and trips. He is a great believer that anyone can learn to fly.

 

In his spare time he runs marathons.

ALISTAIR

 FLYING INSTRUCTOR

Alistair first started flying with Lancs Aero Club at Barton in 1997. He later did his commercial licence, instrument and instructor rating before working full time at Barton as an instructor from 2003-2005.

 

He then went to the airlines joining British Airways as a first officer in 2005, before being transferred to Flybe in 2007. There he became a captain flying the Q400, E175 and E195 until Flybe's demise in 2020. In recent years he returned to Barton as a flying instructor. Alistair is also very keen on Paramotoring!

JIM

FLYING INSTRUCTOR

Jim learnt to fly at Southampton in 1980, after gaining the necessary experience and qualifications he worked as a Flying Instructor at Denham School of Flying.  He subsequently obtained his commercial pilots license and then worked for the airlines.  His flying ranges from turboprops on regional routes to operating various jets to short and long haul destinations.  Retiring from airline flying in 2020 as a B777 captain with Qatar Airways, he returned to his first love of light aircraft.

 

With 23000 flying hours, Jim has been instructing part time at Barton since 2021.  On his days off he enjoys long-distance running, mountain biking and is often seen pounding the hills of the Peak District.  When weather forces him to stay home, he plays the guitar.

SEAN

 FLYING INSTRUCTOR

Sean has a degree in mechanical engineering.  He worked for two years and then left to travel the world but ended up working in the music industry for 16 years.  Sean mainly ran his own business hiring tour buses to bands and with the profits invested in property and became a landlord which he still does now to a lesser degree. Sean has been a flying instructor since 2005 and has instructed at Barton Aerodrome, Manchester and Liverpool Airport.

JACK

 FLYING INSTRUCTOR

Jack is one of our part-time instructors. He learned to fly in 2007 at LAC Flying School before moving on to commercial training, where he worked at EasyJet and Thomas Cook on the A320s and A330s. He now flies for British Airways on the B787, where he is also a training pilot and has amassed a total of 6000+ flying hours.

 

Outside of flying, Jack is a keen petrolhead and has been playing the drums for over 20 years. When he's looking for a quieter pastime, you'll find him walking his dog, Ralph, and playing snooker.

COOKY

Career Highs:

Flown a PA28 into Sumburgh Airport, Shetland, 59.9°N.

Flew my son for his first ever flight.

Commanded an all-female crew.

 

Flying Aim:

To fly a float plane!

 

Life:

A very busy homelife with a love for dogs, horses and cake.

Murphy

OUR HAPPY MASCOT

'Murphy' the mascot, he is classed as a Utonagan, his mum was a german shepherd cross husky and malamut and his dad was a german shepherd.

 

Many think he looks just a pure shepherd which is quite true! Murphy joined us at 8 weeks old and is a friendly, inquisitive guy who enjoys meeting all our pilots and student pilots alike. He hopes to fly himself someday!