Simon Johnston

Simon’s interest in aviation began when he joined the Air Cadets. After discovering this passion, he worked during school holidays and weekends at his local flying club in Bournemouth. And he went solo in aircraft and gliders at the age of 17.

Simon became a gliding instructor at 18, achieving his Commercial Pilots Licence by managing operations at a modular commercial flying school.

Aged 22, Simon went to fly for the Army in Germany in a civilian role. Having gained 700 hours of turbine flying time, he joined as a defence company operating Falcon 20 business jets. His role was to provide electronic warfare around the world for the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, NATO and other organisations.

Simon continued here for 16 years. And during that time, he was appointed Chief Pilot aged 30. This role provided challenging flying around the world, and he was shot at several times – mainly while towing a target, but not always!

Next saw an adventure on the Falcon 50 and Challenger 604 business aircraft in Nigeria, before conversion onto the Phenom 300 and Legacy 500.

Part time, Simon continued instructing with the Air Cadets, running a Squadron with motor gliders in Yorkshire and sending over 250 Air Cadets first solo. He also displayed his own aircraft for several years, including wing walking with the Boeing Stearman.

These days, Simon flies business jets, turbine aircraft, multi-engine aircraft and gliders. And he runs a simulator centre for the Air Cadets.

He’s looking forward to another year of Spitfire smiles with Spitfire.com!