Delta Aviation Pilots are CAA qualified flying instructors, operating from venues at airfields UK wide

Delta's Pilots
Delta Aviation employs the largest number of Flying Instructors in the country. We use over 80 pilots to fly our customers in a variety of aircraft, including the de Havilland Tiger Moth. Our pilots fly from a range of locations across the country, from Lancashire to Devon. Our pilots are all qualified Flying Instructors – meaning they have been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to conduct trial lesson flights in a safe and professional manner. Scroll down this page to read some of their biographies. In addition, we have our own requirements for Flying Instructors - which go beyond the requirements of the CAA - to make sure they meet our high standards. Not only are our Flying Instructors approved by the CAA but they go through a rigorous check-ride with a Delta Aviation Senior Instructor and are regularly assessed for their levels of airmanship and flight safety. Flight safety is the most important aspect of our business. However, customer satisfaction is also paramount. Our pilots are selected not only for their flying ability but also for the way they work with our customers; on the ground and in the air. Making sure you have a safe and enjoyable flight is our mission.Here are some of our pilots' biographies. If you feel you have what it take to fly for Delta Aviation, please let us know by emailing us.

Tiger Moth Flying Instructor: Adrian Davy
Adrian Davy started flying in 1982 and gained his Private Pilot's Licence (PPL) before he could drive. Having acquired a taste for aviation, Adrian joined the Royal Air Force, training on the Jet Provost and Hawk. Selection to fast jets saw him flying 1500 hours on the Tornado GR1 attack aircraft with 5 operational tours between 1990 and 2001. Adrian left the service in 2001 to join British Mediterrainean Airways and was promoted to Captain after just two years. Adrian flies his own Hornet Moth and despite operating an Airbus A320 and Airbus A321 to the Middle East and Central Asia, he still considers flying Tiger Moths to be the purest flying available.

Dragon Rapide, Tiger Moth and Aerobatics Flying Instructor: Chris Thompson
Chris Thompson learned to fly on the Slingsby Firefly in 1985, first flew a Tiger Moth at the RAF College, Cranwell in 1986, and qualified as an Instructor in 1988; following this, he learned to drive! He was taught aerobatics by the celebrated competition and display pilot Pete Clark. Chris spent 18½ years in the RAF, initially as a fast jet engineer, but his later service included 3 years at the RAF Inspectorate of Flight Safety, where he developed an enduring passion for reducing the risk of human error. Chris left the RAF in early 2005 to follow a career as a commercial air transport pilot, but he retains a passion for both vintage and aerobatic flying. A Civil Aviation Authority authorized aerobatic display pilot, Chris has taught aerobatics to both competition and display pilots and still enjoys flying Delta Aviation’s customers in the Tiger Moth. To use his own words, “it’s an opportunity to spread a bit of happiness”.

Tiger Moth Flying Instructor: Martin East
Having qualified on gliders in 1963, Martin East gained his Private Pilot's Licence the following summer, flying Austers at Sywell. Two months later he began his flying career with the RAF. After three years in training, he enjoyed five operational tours on support helicopters, flying a total of 3,000 hours on Wessex and Puma aircraft around the world. In 1975 Martin attended Central Flying School, immediately followed by two tours as a QFI (Qualified Flying Instructor) instructing on the Jet Provost at RAF Cranwell and then on Hawks at RAF Valley. Martin's last flying tour with the RAF was as the Air Commander in Belize, Central America, before returning to a desk job at the Ministry of Defence. For the last nine years Martin has been a civilian Flying Instructor with the Defence Elementary Flying School, spending two years as Head of Training, before moving to his present job running the Army Flying Grading Unit at Middle Wallop. Although still a full time pilot with over 8000 flying hours, Martin flies the Tiger Moth with Delta Aviation for the pure joy of it!

Tiger Moth Flying Instructor: Ronnie Fraser
Ronnie Fraser started flying in 1993 to fulfil a lifelong ambition. From his first trial lesson he was hooked. Ronnie completed his PPL and was asked to become a Flying Instructor for his local flying club. Shortly after this he went on to complete his commercial pilot’s rating and multi-engine rating. Despite being able to fly much larger and faster aircraft, Ronnie remains committed to light aircraft and particularly the Tiger Moth. According to Ronnie, flying students in the Tiger Moth is the most challenging and the most rewarding flying.

Tiger Moth Flying Instructor: Bruce Hutton
Bruce Hutton achieved his pilot grading on Tiger Moths in 1961 whilst a Royal Navy Cadet at Britannia Royal Naval College, Darmouth. Bruce continued his training on fast jets, taking to the skies in both the Jet Provost and the Vampire at RAF Linton-on-Ouse. After completing his training, Bruce went on to see operational service with the Royal Navy Strike Command flying the Hunter and Supermarine Scimitar. After leaving the Royal Navy, Bruce joined Oxford Air Training School in 1971 as a Qualified Flying Instructor until 1974 when he joined British Midlands Airways as a First Officer on the Viscount and DC9. Bruce received his first command in 1978 and retired from the airline in 1999. Bruce continues to fly as a QFI – teaching aerobatics and flying the Tiger Moth. Bruce is a certified Civil Aviation Authority Examiner and a maintenance test pilot.

Tiger Moth Flying Instructor: Mike McGinty
Mike McGinty started flying at the age of 16 when he went solo in an Air Cadet Glider. Since that time he has spent more than 18 years in the regular Army, the majority of that time as a helicopter pilot in the Army Air Corp. Mike has flown Gazelle and Lynx helicopters in the UK, Northern Ireland, Germany, Bosnia and Canada as well as serving in Kuwait and Iraq. Mike recently converted to fly the Apache Attack helicopter and is fortunate enough to command a squadron of eight aircraft based in Yorkshire. Despite all of his qualifications, Mike relishes the opportunity to fly a real tail-dragger – especially the Tiger Moth.

Tiger Moth Flying Instructor: Ivor Gibbs

Ivor Gibbs started his career as an Aeronautical Engineer at Bristol Aeroplane Co, Filton where he was a member of Bristol and Wessex Flying Club, taking his first solo on Taylorcraft. In 1959 Ivor joined the RAF and started his flying training on the Piston Provost and Vampire before moving to the Shackleton. In 1967 he moved to the Central Flying School as an Instructor on Jet Provost before becoming a Flying Instructor and Flight Commander teaching Basic flying skills to Navy, RAF and foreign students. In 1973 Ivor became the leader of the Red Pelicans Aerobatic Team and was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. While in the RAF, Ivor was privileged enough to fly numerous types including the Bulldog, Air Tourer, Harvard, Macchi 326, Devon, Winjeel, Harrier, Gnat, Hunter, Jaguar, Meteor, A4 Skyhawk, F104, Lightning and Lancaster. In 1978 Ivor commenced a career with airlines, flying for companies including Dan-Air, Orion, Britannia, AItalia and British Airways. He works for Delta Aviation flying the Tiger Moth as well as teaching ground school to Airline pilots.

...there are many other pilots who fly for Delta Aviation. If you would like to know more about the pilot you have flown with (or will fly with), please call us or contact us by email.