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The Team
The London Aerobatic Company’s team comprises only top-end aviation professionals with strong backgrounds in the armed services, display flying or both.
The Pilots
Chris Thompson
Chris has been flying aerobatics since before he held a driving licence! Following an RAF career including engineering, flight safety and international relations, Chris spent a brief period as a freelance pilot and instructor flying a variety of vintage types in Europe and Africa, before spending 4 years with a European regional airline; he now flies for a major middle eastern airline. He has taught aerobatics, his real passion, to both competition and display pilots and flies the London Aerobatic Company’s solo aerobatic display. He has displayed the CAP10 to rave reviews at successive German national airshows, the prestigious ILA Berlin, in addition to private functions in the UK.
Paul Shenton
‘Shents’ RAF service included 3 tours as a pilot and instructor on the Tornado F3, during which he displayed the Spitfire and Hurricane with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Currently a training captain on the Airbus A320, on 28 August 2010, Paul led the Airbus / Spitfire / Hurricane formation to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Simon Braithwaite
Simon’s first RAF tour was as a Lightning pilot, followed by instructional tours on the Jet Provost and Bulldog before spending 6 years flying and instructing on the Tornado F3. Simon now instructs on a wide variety of light aeroplanes, but still finds time to fly the Boeing 747.
The Commentators
Tim Callaway
Tim spent 10 years working at the RAF Museum, a further 7 at National Air Traffic Services and then 2 years as sponsorship manager for Brian Lecomber’s Firebird Aerobatics. A private pilot since 1985, Tim is a sought-after display commentator with experience at the UK’s seaside airshows, Old Warden, Duxford, Al Ain and ILA Berlin. The rest of the time, Tim edits ‘Aviation Classics’ magazine and runs his own IT and publishing company.
Mark Manwaring
‘Manners’ was the last RAF Phantom display navigator, producing the ‘Phantom Phinale’ video to celebrate that display season. Following tours on the Tornado F3 and at the RAF Inspectorate of Flight Safety, he commanded 55(R) Squadron, responsible for all RAF ‘rear crew’ training. Nowadays, Manners flies both a desk and his own light aeroplane; in addition to winning handicap air races, he serves on the Flying Control Committee for the Royal International Air Tattoo and has represented the RAF by commentating its contribution at a number of airshows.
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