Wednesday June 5th will see the return of the popular Meet the Pilots event, the day before the 2019 Guernsey Air Display.  Now in its 13th year, Meet the Pilots enables families to get up close to the display aircraft and talk to the men and women who will be flying them in the display the following afternoon.

 

"It is always a relaxed and well attended afternoon," said Gary Elson, the event organiser, "but I would like to make clear that this year, due to the funding shortages suffered by the main display, there will be fewer aircraft on the ground than usual.

 

“We will have the RV8s of Team Raven, the Muscle Pitts of Rich Goodwin and a new team, The Bader Bus Company, which is made up of PA28s, flown by disabled pilots.  However, in addition, the brand new Channel Islands Air Search Islander will be on public display for the very first time - so come and meet the crew.  Aurigny's Junior JOEY and the Air Scouts Jet Provost cockpit will be available for the children to jump into, as will the ever popular Airport Fire Truck.  We are also running competition this year for children to build a model or paint picture of a flying boat, as this year marks the centenary of aviation in Guernsey, which was started with just such an airplane landing in St Peter Port Harbour on 4th October 1919.”

 

The event will be located on the apron to the West of the control tower and gates will be open from 2 - 5pm.  Parking will be at the Aero Club at £2 per car.

 

"The event remains free to enter" continued Gary, "but all donations will be invested back into the Guernsey Air Display. These are vital to ensure that Guernsey can continue to put a flying display into the skies above St Peter Port.  Every donation, irrespective of its financial amount- small or large – makes a difference.”

 

For the second year running, Meet The Pilots is sponsored by Ravenscroft.  “‘Last year saw hundreds of islanders come to Meet the Pilots and it was fantastic to see so many entries to the children’s competition. The Guernsey Air Display, which is loved by so many, is reliant on private donations and as a company with its headquarters in the island, we didn’t hesitate to commit to Meet the Pilots again as our way of supporting the display,’ said Katrina Bray, marketing and PR executive at Ravenscroft.

 

‘The organisers have done an amazing job in bringing together aircraft and vehicles to create a line up which will allow adults and children alike to learn more, speak to the pilots and gain a better understanding about aviation and its history in the island. We’re looking forward to seeing the crowds again and celebrate the centenary of aviation in Guernsey with our children’s competition.’