If vintage aeroplanes and World War II are your thing then you couldn’t do better than head for the Orkney Islands this week. From today, Thursday, September 10, until Sunday, September 13, the Orkney Aviation Festival is taking place.
Organisers have pulled together a mouth-watering programme which includes a visit from special guest, long-term female aviator Shona Bowman. She’ll be offering individual flights in a 1944 RAF commission De Havilland Dragon Rapide G-AHAG – a plane with a fascinating story.
After years of use as a charter and pleasure flights aeroplane by Lancashire Aircraft Corporation, it was rescued from destruction by Scillonia Airways, becoming a regular sight over the Scilly Isles. As it fell into disrepair it was bought by Ralph Jones, of Southern Sailplanes, in 1979. Ralph spent the next 30 years restoring the plane. Sadly he didn’t live to see its full restoration, but the historic aeroplane is now owned by his son Steve and friend David Findon and remarkably took to the air again in August 2013 for the first time in 40 years.
This year, the Rapide will be on display in Orkney and flights can be booked in advance by phoning the ticket line on 01856 (Kirkwall) 988625. British Airways pilot Shona Bowman, who is now based at Heathrow flying most European and domestic routes, will be at the controls to give individual passengers the thrill of a lifetime.
Shona has always had a passion for flying. Growing up in an aviation-loving family, she’s been flying since the age of 15 when she flew solo in a glider. She gained her private pilot’s licence in a light aircraft at the age of 17.
“I had my pilot’s licence before my driving licence,” said Shona, who is married to Virgin Atlantic pilot Paul and has two children, Isla, aged 10, and Ellis, aged 8. Later, as a commercial pilot, she started out flying a Shorts 360 based in the Channel Islands.
“This was very similar to the island-hopping aviation service now provided in the Highlands and Islands today. Outside of work, I continue to fly light aircraft regularly and am a flying instructor for the charity Aerobility where disabled people can learn to fly.”
Last year, she happily fitted the bill when Steve and David, aiming to fly the Rapide commercially, needed a part-time commercial pilot, under the age of 60 with experience of flying tail wheel aircraft.
“I was absolutely over the moon to be invited to get involved,” said Shona.
“We operated our first commercial pleasure flights last summer and are really looking forward to our trip to Orkney in September. Flying the Rapide is such a massive honour as there are so few still flying as beautifully restored as AG. It’s an absolute dream to fly.”
Shona is justly proud of her Orkney family connections.
“My great grandfather, Fred Buchanan, was a Lt Col and Commander of the Orkney Royal Garrison Artillery and his brother Captain Angus Buchanan was the explorer famed for leading early explorations across the Sahara desert in the 1920s.”
Interestingly, as the Rugby World Cup season fast approaches, Shona’s great-great-grandfather Angus Buchanan can claim a place in rugby history as the first ever player to score an international rugby try between England and Scotland in 1871.
Along with other aviation fans, she will have the chance to immerse herself in the Orkney Aviation Festival. Highlights include a film night with previously unseen WWII Orkney film, a talk by Richard Fresson about the early days of his father’s pioneering air service, Highland Airways, and Ian Brown, of the National Museum of flight, plus an open day at former Naval Air Station HMS Tern/Twatt Aerodrome including a visit by The Orkney Vintage Club.
The Orkney Aviation Festival is organised by AOP (Another Orkney Production) with ARGOS & Birsay Heritage Trust and a number of locally-based sponsors.
Contact: aoproduction.co.uk