Our Instructors

Here are the profiles of a few of our instructors

With a team of more than 60 pilots having extensive operational and training experience, we can match you with an instructor who is experienced and qualified on type.

Peter Burkill

Peter was accepted to train as a commercial pilot at Prestwick under the British Airways sponsorship scheme in 1987, and he graduated in 1989. He has since flown for British Airways for 20 years, flying Lockhead TriStars, DC-10s and Boeing 777s. Peter achieved his command on Boeing 777s in 2004 and has accumulated over 13,000 flight hours during his career. Peter captured the world's attention when the aircraft he was Captain of crashed-landed at London Heathrow in January 2008. With 35 seconds to go before touchdown, his Boeing 777 suddenly and inexplicably lost all power to both engines; something which has never happened on a commercial flight before or since. Peter took command of the situation and moved the flaps on the wings, in order to give the aircraft enough lift to make it over the airport's boundary fence and onto the grass. All 152 people aboard survived the incident, and Peter was hailed as a hero. Peter returned to flying shortly after the crash, but later left British Airways in late 2009. He has since written a book entitled 'Thirty Seconds to Impact' and joined Virtual Aviation as a simulator instructor.

Ben Boness

After a four year Degree in International Business at the University of Portsmouth, Ben went to work for The Maersk Company in London as a Graduate Management Trainee. Realising the flying bug wasn't going to go away he left Maersk and started my flying training at Stapleford Flight Centre in August 2004. After graduating in January 2006, Ben joined Astraeus Airlines as a First Officer on the Boeing 757; flying to many weird and wonderful places! He is now a ground instructor for the 757 fleet and a qualified CRM Instructor.

Simon Taylor

Simon started his flying career in 1985. He trained in the USA, and in 1986 converted to a CAA Licence. His first job in 1986 was instructing, and later on he worked for the USAF at RAF Lakenheath as a flying instructor. He was also a positioning pilot for F-111 flight crew. In 1989 Simon started on the HS125 with British Aerospace. He conducted 43 sorties during the Gulf War. In 1993 he moved onto the Gulfstream and flew out of Heathrow. In 1997 Simon took up a position as Captain, flying the Boeing 737 BBJ for a Saudi family. Simon is a very experienced Captain, a valuable member of the team, and a self-confessed aviation nut!

Simon Norman

Simon has over 20 years experience as a Fixed and Rotary Wing Instructor and Instrument Rating Examiner. He began his flying career in 1979, flying the Sea King for the Royal Navy. In 1985 he became a Staff Pilot on the Jetstream. In 1987 he moved to the RN Elementary Flying Training Squadron, and in 1991 he became a Qualified Helicopter Instructor. His instructional career continued through to 1997, when he became a Test Pilot on the Jetstream 200. In 1998 he became a commercial airline pilot, and flew the Airbus A319/A320/A321 for First Choice and easyJet. In 2007 Simon became a flying instructor for Ultimate High, teaching aerobatics and formation flying on the Bulldog. He is now flying vintage aircraft for Classic Flight, alongside his instructional work for Virtual Aviation.

Ben Barrows

Ben began his pilot training in the USA, and finalised it at Oxford Aviation Training School in 2000. Following his training he went on to become a commercial instructor at Cabair. In 2004, Ben began work for Ryanair as a First Officer on the Boeing 737-200. 18 months later he moved over to GB Airways, and also onto the Airbus A320. Ben is still with GB, and will be staying with them through their transition to easyJet. He is one of GB's technical instructors on the Airbus. Ben's claim to fame is teaching Eddie Izzard to fly when he was instructing at Cabair!

Matthew Price

Matt has flying in his blood. His Mum is cabin crew for Thomas Cook and Matt started learning to fly aged just 13. He went to the USA to complete his PPL, and started his commercial training in New Zealand. Matt completed his training at CTC in Bournemouth and graduated from the CTC Wings Cadet Scheme in 2005. Matt’s first airline job was with easyJet. His first commercial flight was to Malaga, shortly after his 20th birthday. He is type-rated on the Boeing 737 Classic and NG, and also the Airbus A319/A320/A321. He currently flies as a Senior First Officer on the A319. Matt is due to start with British Airways in June, flying the Boeing 747-400 on long-haul routes out of London Heathrow.

Dave Stoddart

Dave recently retired after 38 years in aviation. He started his career as a graduate airline engineer, then as a pilot for British Airways. The final part of his airline career was spent with easyJet at Luton. He has over 19,000 hours of flying time, and is type-rated on all variants of the Boeing 737, the Boeing 747-200/400, and the Boeing 777. He has experience of both long-haul and short-haul flying, and is one of our most experienced pilots.

Peter Gibbons

Pete trained at Oxford between 1998 and 2000. He gained his first airline job with Aer Lingus on the Boeing 737-400/500, and stayed with them until 2001 when he joined GB Airways as a First Officer on the Boeing 737-300/400, and subsequently the Airbus A320/A321. Pete became GB's youngest ever Captain, at the age of 25. He has now transferred to easyJet as part of the takeover.

Mark Richards

Mark started his commercial flying career in 2001, at the age of 24. He trained at Cabair in Cranfield. His first airline job was with Ryanair as a First Officer on the Boeing 737-200. His first base was Stansted, and later Dublin. In 2005 Mark left Ryanair to join GB Airways as a First Officer on the Airbus A320. He is staying with GB through their transition to easyJet.

Fabrice Beresford

Fabrice trained between 1999 and 2000 in the USA, and at Bristol Flying School. Following his training he worked at the West London Aero Club as a Flying Instructor. In 2002 he moved to BAe Systems Flight Training Europe and stayed instructing for them until 2003, when he bacame a First Officer for Flybe on the DHC-8 Q400. 2005 saw a move to Monarch Airlines, and also to the Airbus A320/A321 fleet. Fabrice is still with Monarch, and is currently a First Officer flying the A320/A321 and the wide-body A330. He has around 4500 hours flying time.

Stuart Williams

Stuart's first solo flight was at the age of 17, before he could drive a car! He completed the Tour de France in 1998, flying a PA-28. It took around 10 days, and the route spanned over 2000 miles. Stuart completed his commercial flying training at Oxford Air Training School in 2002, and became a flying instructor at Kemble and Wellesbourne Aviation. In 2004 he became a First Officer with Astraeus on the Boeing 737-300/700. He moved to SkyEurope Airlines in 2004 and was a First Officer on the Boeing 737-500. In 2005 he moved to Glasgow and flew the Boeing 737-600/800 as a Senior First Officer for FlyGlobespan. In 2006 he moved to British Airways, and is currently flying the Boeing 757/767 out of Heathrow as a First Officer.

Nick Oak

Nick is a Senior First Officer with Virgin Atlantic, and has around six years experience flying the Boeing 747-400. He trained in 1995 at the European College of Aviation in Bournemouth. Following his training, Nick worked as a baggage handler and did a little instructing at Shoreham. Nick started work for Air UK in 1996, flying the Fokker 50 and Fokker 100. In 1999, he move airlines and worked for Virgin Sun, flying the Airbus A320. Following the events of 9/11, Nick was made redundant and went to work for easyJet, flying the Boeing 737-300/700. In 2002 he went back to Virgin, this time flying for Virgin Atlantic, on the Boeing 747-400. He is the project pilot for Virgin Atlantic’s fuel policy, and is also a CRM Instructor.