Our Instructors
Our experienced, qualified, patient instructors are standing by to turn your dream of flight into reality.
Graham
Flying Instructor and Examiner (NPPL, PPL & IMC, including Electric Aircraft).
I first joined Airbourne in 2017, initially as Head of Training for the Katana aircraft that Airbourne had at the time. I am now the in-house Flight Examiner for Microlight Skills Tests and I also oversee operations on the Velis Electro, our electric aircraft, which is instrumental in our efforts to help reduce the carbon footprint of flight experiences in the UK.
It’s difficult to specify a favourite aircraft or favourite type of flying – my many thousands of flying hours range from simple single seat open cockpit aircraft to globe-trotting corporate jets. Different aircraft are better suited to different purposes, and it’s about identifying the right aircraft for the purpose. I equally enjoy day/VFR flying from small grass airfields like Popham, to bouncing around the tropopause in a swept wing glass cockpit jet.
Common to both environments, my strong passion in aviation is being a people person, always eager to learn myself, and always eager to try and pass on the benefits of my skills and experiences to others less experienced in aviation.
Jeremy
I learnt to fly at Compton Abbas and gained my UKPPL in 1982. I have a lapsed IMC rating, tail wheel qualification, and the AOPA basic aerobatic certificate.
I joined Airbourne in July 2022 with 1,800 hours of flying experience, equally split between microlights and SEP, including C150/152/172, PA28 140/160/180, PA18 150, PA38, AA5A/B, TB9, T67B, Beagle Pup, Chipmunk, C42, SportCruiser, and most recently the Eurofox.
My favourite aircraft to fly is the Chipmunk, with the Spitfire being my favourite aircraft to have flown in. My favourite flight was when we re-enacted the Dambusters raid at 250ft over the Mohne Dam in a PA28. It was difficult enough at 95kts in daylight with nobody shooting at me – how it was managed at night under fire in a Lancaster at 180kts I don’t know!
Mike
Flying Instructor, tailwheel, GR (Ground and Revalidation) Examiner.
I’ve been flying for over 30 years, logging more than 1,500 hours along the way. My aviation journey began in 1991 when I earned my microlight license on a 3-axis microlight at a small farm strip near Winchester. My first cross-country flight, from north of Reading to Popham, was unforgettable. In 1994, I gained my PPL at Thruxton, flying the PA-38 Tomahawk and the PA-18 Super Cub.
Over the years, I’ve earned PPL (A) and microlight licenses, a tailwheel endorsement, and a Ground and Revalidation (GR) Examiner rating. My passion for flying began with a trial weekend of flights in microlights, gliders, and light aircraft, sparking a lifelong love for aviation.
I’ve co-owned several microlights and light aircraft, including a Spectrum, X’Air, AX3, AX2000, Avids, and a SportCruiser. Early in my flying career, I participated in the Madrid to London microlight race and the Round Britain Race, navigating and refuelling from petrol stations spotted from the air! I’ve also flown to France, crossed the Channel in microlights and light aircraft, and ventured as far as Warsaw in a SportCruiser.
In 2019, I joined Airbourne as a microlight instructor, leaving the 9-to-5 behind to focus on helping others discover the joy of flying. I’m particularly passionate about guiding students through the landing process, a skill I found challenging when I was learning to fly.
My favourite aircraft include the SportCruiser, the Avid for tailwheel flying, and the C42 for microlights. Flying has brought me freedom, adventure, and a unique view of the world, and I’m excited to share that journey with my students.
Martin
Flying Instructor, GR (Ground and Revalidation) Examiner.
I started my aviation journey in 2013, earning my license flying flex wing microlights. In 2015, I made the switch to 3-axis microlights, expanding my skills and experience. In 2021, I qualified as an instructor, and I also hold a Ground and Revalidation (GR) rating.
I’ve been passionate about aviation for as long as I can remember. My first flying experience was with my dad when I was just six or seven years old, and that sparked a lifelong love of flying. For me, aviation is all about freedom—seeing the world from above provides a unique perspective where distances shrink, and the beauty of the landscape unfolds. From Iron Age forts to Roman roads and medieval ridge and furrow fields, history comes alive when viewed from the air.
Microlights are incredible aircraft that offer such a diverse flying experience. Whether it’s a peaceful evening flight on a summer’s evening or the challenge of navigating controlled airspace over a busy airport like Farnborough, every flight is an adventure.
I’m passionate about sharing my love of aviation and helping others discover the thrill and freedom that flying offers. Whether you’re flying for fun or pursuing a dream, I’m here to help you every step of the way.
Tracy
RAF QFI (Fixed Wing), NPPL(A) FI, ATPL(A) MEP (Lapsed).
My passion for flying began at 13 with the Air Cadets, flying Chipmunks and helicopters at my local RAF station. At university, I joined Wales UAS, flying the Bulldog, and was awarded a University Cadetship as one of the first of the new generation of female pilots in the RAF. I completed Basic Flying Training on the Jet Provost and Advanced Flying Training on the BAe Hawk at RAF Valley, where I gained my RAF Pilot Wings.
After training at RAF Chivenor’s Tactical Weapons Unit, I was re-streamed to the C130K Hercules via the multi-engine crossover course. I spent eight years flying the Hercules in tactical air transport roles worldwide, including a season as the RAF Falcons’ display pilot. During this time, I gained my ATPL(A), preparing for a future airline career.
Following my C130 Captain’s tour, I trained as a Qualified Flying Instructor at RAF Cranwell and taught at Southampton University Air Squadron where I was appointed CFI, covering all aspects from the basics up to instrument, aerobatics, and formation flying. After the restructuring of the UAS system, I transitioned to the Boeing C17 Globemaster, completing simulator training at Altus AFB before returning to 99 Sqn at RAF Brize Norton for my final tour. I retired from the RAF in 2009.
After raising my children, I resumed flying 13 years later, inspired by a friend who reminded me of my extensive RAF training. I gained my NPPL(A) FI rating and have been flying and instructing on the C42 for the past three years, rediscovering my passion for aviation.
David
I am now in my fourth year working for Airborne Aviation and I am thoroughly enjoying being part of a legacy school that’s got big plans for the future.
My passion for flying all started when I flew solo at 16 (before I could drive a car). I went on to become an instructor on the Vigilant Mk1 for the Air Training Corps.
I hold a PPL(A), NPPL(A) and am an FI(R) instructor. I completed my instructor course in the French Alps and combined learning to teach future pilots with mountain ops and mountain strip landings!
Some of my flying highlights have been landing on a beach in Oz, a desert strip in Africa and on a glacier in New Zealand. I’ve also been lucky enough to have hitched a ride in various military aircraft (fixed wing and rotary) and even the police helicopter!
Jeremy
I started flying at 16 with the Air Cadets on Chipmunks’s and gliders, going solo in a glider at 16. Life then got in the way before doing my PPL (Microlight) at the age of 29 in a Pegasus Q 462 flexwing microlight at Clench Common.
Since then I have mostly flown flexwings from Chilbolton, with the highlight being a flight from Lands End to John O’Groats in just one day as part of the Dawn to Dusk challenge. I converted to fixed wing microlights about 5 years ago and am now part of a C42 syndicate based at Popham.
My day job is based around training, so two years ago I combined my hobby and my job to get my Flying Instructor (R) rating and you’ll see me working at Airbourne on Sundays.
Bob
Aircraft and Microlight Class Rating Instructor and Revalidation Examiner.
I don’t know where the seed came from but as a child, instead of sport and music I was fascinated by aviation. This led me to the school cadet force with my first flight in a Chipmunk at Filton and the thrilling bonus of seeing the Concorde production line. My first solo flight was in a glider at age 16. Shortly afterwards I joined the RAF as a Halton apprentice for 3 years training as an aircraft technician and was selected for officer training after graduation. Money was tight for me in those days so I met my need to fly by moving through hang gliding to gliding, becoming chief flying instructor at RAF Kinloss in Scotland. In parallel I was flying motor gliders and eventually gained my PPL in 1986.
Aviation has been kind to me with 2 professional careers – the first on the ground with the RAF, the second in the air worldwide. I returned to the UK in 2018 and am now thoroughly enjoying a busy retirement and a third chapter, instructing on a variety of light aircraft, primarily at Popham.
A recent welcome challenge has been completing electric aircraft differences training with Airbourne and I now particularly enjoy introducing both pilots and non-pilots to the Velis Electro as one of the few instructors in the country on this aircraft type.
I’m also one of a team of ten radio operators who you’ll hear as Popham Radio when I hope you come to fly with Airbourne.
Mac
Business Founder
Cliff
Business Owner