The Instructors

Sound instruction is the key to becoming a competent pilot. A pilot is only as good as his or her instructor and in this respect Swords Aviation has some of the very best. All have either flown frontline jets in the Royal Air Force or commercial jets within the airlines. All are qualified instructors and all have several years experience of instructing on military or ex-military jets.

If contemplating ownership of an ex-military jet, or jet flying training, one of the biggest factors is the quality of available instruction. Thanks to the very high quality of its instructors Swords Aviation is able to provide some of the best jet training outside the armed forces.

Richard Craddock Richard has been a pilot since 1984 and instructing since 1991. After full time instructing Richard started his airline career with Gold Air flying the Beechcraft King Air turboprop. Richard then moved to City Flyer flying the ATR 42 before moving onto the BAe 146 / Avro RJ100 aircraft. Richard moved to British Airways where he became a captain on the ATR 72 based at Gatwick. Richard has been flying Jet Provosts for the past eight years and is very experienced at converting civil pilots to the Jet Provost. Richard now flies the Boeing 737 with a major European airline.

Andy Hill Andy joined the RAF in 1985 from university and completed basic training on the Jet Provost at Linton-on-Ouse and advanced training on the Hawk at Valley gaining his wings in 1987. Andy returned to Linton-on-Ouse as a 'Creamie' instructor and taught RAF students as a Jet Provost QFI until 1990. Andy then undertook the Tactical Weapons Course before training on the Harrier and spending the next three years flying the Harrier GR5 and GR7 with 3 Squadron ending his tour as a Harrier QFI. Since leaving the RAF Andy has become an Airbus captain with a major European airline.

Cliff Nichol (Chief Instructor) Cliff joined the RAF in 1978 and after training on the Jet Provost and Hawk gained his wings in 1980. After an initial tour on Victors with 57 Squadron Cliff became a QFI and spent two years instructing on the Jet Provost and a further two years instructing on the Hawk. Cliff then converted to the Tornado and spent the next three years flying Tornados on 23 Squadron at Leeming. Cliff then moved to the Tornado OCU as a QFI and Air Combat Instructor where he spent the next five years full time and a further five part time. Cliff left the RAF in 2003 to fly with a major European airline.

Ian Scott Ian joined the RAF in 1970 and gained his wings in 1971 on the Jet Provost. Ian then undertook advanced training on the transonic Folland Gnat before being posted to the famous 617 'Dambusters' Squadron flying the Vulcan bomber. After seven years on Vulcans Ian moved on to maritime patrol and submarine hunting with the Nimrod for the next 18 months. Ian then moved to instructing and became a QFI on the Jet Provost for three years followed by a further three years teaching on Strikemasters in Saudi Arabia. Ian now teaches advanced aerobatics and is an aerobatic competition judge.

Brian Skillicorn Brian joined the RAF as an apprentice in 1959 before becoming a Sergeant pilot getting his wings in 1963 and heading for the far east to fly helicopters with 225 and 103 Squadrons. Brian was commissioned and won the AFC in 1967. Brian went to Boscombe Down and became an Empire Test Pilot on helicopters and fixed wing before going to Bedford to fly the Hunter F6 and F9 before returning to test flying. Brian became a QFI before tours on the HS125 and the Hercules at Lyneham. Brian left the RAF in 1998 after nearly 40 years to test fly and instruct on ex-military jets in civil aviation.

Steve Stewart Steve joined the RAF in 1978 and after training on the Jet Provost and Hawk received his wings in 1980 before undertaking the Tactical Weapons Course on the Hawker Hunter F9. Steve was posted to 5 Squadron for the next three years flying the Lightning from Binbrook. Steve then became a QFI and instructed on the Jet Provost for three years. Steve then served the next three years with the USAF at Shepherd AFB in Texas teaching pilots on the T-37 jet trainer. Steve returned as a QFI and examiner with the Central Flying School. Steve now flies with a major European airline.

Les Whatling Les joined the RAF in 1970 and gained his wings in 1971 on the Jet Provost before advanced training on the transonic Folland Gnat and Tactical Weapons training on the Hawker Hunter. Following conversion to the Buccaneer Les was seconded to the Navy flying the Buccaneer off carriers with 809 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm. On return to the RAF Les went to 12 Squadron at Honnington before instructing on the Buccaneer OCU as a TWI. In 1987 Les became a QFI and instructed on the Jet Provost at Linton-on-Ouse. Les now flies an Airbus with a major European airline.