Bruce Abbott
Head of Training, Chief Flying Instructor, Flight and Ground Examiner: SEP and MEP, PPL, LAPL, IR(R), Night, Aerobatics.
16,000+ hours flight instruction in single and multi engine piston aircraft
Bruce’s first pilot’s licence was issued in 1971. In 1980 he obtained his Flying Instructor Rating. In 1989, he turned down an airline job offer to devote his flight time to a career in flying instruction. He was first appointed as an examiner in 1991. In 2023 he had logged over 16,000 hours of instructing in single (SEP) and multi (MEP) piston engine aircraft in addition to other flight time. His extensive experience in training for the Private and Professional Pilot licences includes nosewheel types, tailwheel, tailskid, modern, experimental, proto-type, vintage and warbirds. Before arriving at Bodmin in 2018, and since 1989, he has held senior positions in all the flying training schools where he has worked. He has flown and given instruction in dozens of different types: multi engine, single engine, land plane and sea-plane, piston and turbine. His passion is vintage tailwheel/skid aircraft and aerobatics. His love of flying keeps him as enthusiastic as he ever was. His pleasure is sharing his thrill of flying, giving people the amazing experience of flight and taking them from their first thrilling experience through to holding a pilot’s licence.
In the winter months until 2015 he also lectured in aviation subjects at London Metropolitan University.
Ian (“Arfur”) Bryant
Deputy Head of Training, Flying instructor, Ground Examiner. SEP, PPL, LAPL, IR(R), Night, Aerobatics.
Arfur joined the Navy as a Midshipman in 1977. After extensive helicopter training, his first front-line flying appointment was flying the Wessex 5 helicopter on 845 Naval Air Squadron (NAS). During his 16 years in the Royal Navy, he also flew the Sea King 4 helicopter operationally and became a Fixed Wing Flying Instructor and a Combat Survival Instructor. He left the RN at age 38 and spent 5 years in Saudi Arabia working for British Aerospace, teaching Saudi cadets on the Cessna 172. Upon return to the UK, he joined the Royal Air Force and instructed at the Central Flying School, RAF Cranwell. This also included a tour as Head of Training at the Joint Elementary Flying Training School, RAF Barkston Heath. In 2001 he moved back to flying helicopters and flew the Puma in Northern Ireland and Iraq. After leaving the military in 2010, he taught SAR techniques to foreign students at RAF Valley, in Anglesey, flying the Agusta Westland 139. He next taught RN Grading students at RNAS Yeovilton on 727 Naval Air Squadron before spending one year in Spain at Flight Training Europe, teaching future airline pilots. Arfur then flew Bell 412 helicopters out of Newquay and was Ground Instructor at the Cobham/Draken Helicopter Academy before joining Cornwall Flying Club in January 2022 as a permanent instructor and Deputy Head of Training. At the end of 2022 he had approximately 13000 flying hours (end of 2022) split roughly 50/50% rotary and fixed-wing.
Arfur is married to Helen and lives in Camelford.
Nick Chittenden
Flying Instructor SEP, LAPL & Commercial Pilot 12500 hrs +
Jay Gates
Airfield Manager
Jay has been involved in Aerodrome Operations and safety management for over 25 years including management roles with the Manchester Airports Group, Airports Company South Africa and Regional and City Airports Group. Jay also has experience as an Aerodrome Operations Trainer and Auditor with Airports Council International.
Pete White
Duty Manager & Bodmin Airfield Events Organiser
Pete works tirelessly to open our doors and make flying available to everyone. Founder of “FOG” – Feet Off the Ground Charity, organising open days for Scouts/Bader Braves/Hospice SW and many other groups Join the FOG team – please take a look at the events page: EVENTS
David Young
Cornwall Flying Club Board member, Newsletter editor, club event photographer
David has been heavily involved with Cornwall Flying Club since first becoming a member in 2020 and gaining his PPL. As well as producing the monthly Bodmin Flyer newsletter he also photographs most of the events for the club’s website gallery.
David’s whole career has involved a paintbrush, albeit in different industries. Having worked as a freelance illustrator in the publishing and packaging industry for nearly 30 years he decided to start painting aviation subjects, some of which can be seen hanging in the clubhouse. In 2018 he joined the Guild of Aviation Artists and exhibits with them at their annual exhibitions. He also hand paints and installs bespoke fitted kitchens for a local kitchen business, Watermill kitchens.
TERRY EARL
Flying Instructor, Flight Examiner: SEP, LAPL, PPL, IR(R).
Terry has been an instructor at Cornwall Flying Club for over 20 years. Previously he had instructed at the London Transport Flying Club at Fairoaks airfield near London and he had also worked with Professional Flight Training at Bournemouth. During his time at CFC he has also spent time instructing with Airways Flight Training at Exeter airport.
John Turner
Flying Instructor: SEP, LAPL, PPL.
John first took to the air as a glider pilot while studying at university. He soon got tired of landing out in fields and acquired a powered aircraft licence, his PPL, in 2000. This was followed by a CPL and Flying Instructor qualification in 2009. John worked as a flying instructor alongside an academic career teaching engineering and in management roles at various universities.
John “retired” from full time academic work in 2015 and now works half-time at Plymouth University, is an Open University tutor, and instructs for the PPL and LAPL at Bodmin.
David Walker
Flying Instructor: SEP, LAPL.
David learnt to fly and gained his PPL at Bodmin in 1988/1989. In 1990 he commenced training for a Basic Commercial Pilot’s Licence, Instrument rating and Instructor rating. Soon after, he launched into a career in the airlines, gradually flying bigger and more complex aircraft. He got his first airline command immediately after a course in 2001. David has flown all over the world including and based in many countries including being based in China for 10 years. He is a Captain on Airbus Aircraft and also a very experienced single engine piston aircraft instructor
Tim Elkins
Duty Manager
Tim is a 64 year old, retired solicitor/property developer. He flew for many years at Turweston where he had a share in a PA 28.
He moved to Cornwall in 2021 with his wife Vivien and is now a member of the SW Aeronca Group. Has three grown up children, one of whom is a pilot with Ryanair.
MARTYN SKEER
Flying Instructor: SEP, LAPL
Martyn learnt to fly at Headcorn in Kent on the Robin DR400, before joining the Royal Navy where he flew Sea King helicopters from a variety of decks. Helicopter instructor duties followed and he ended his naval flying as a squadron commanding officer. Not long after leaving the RN he was enticed into joining the RAF as an instructor, this time fixed-wing, flying the Tutor. While in the RAF he also gained his civilian flying instructor rating and did some instruction at RAF Benson flying club. More recently he returned to helicopter instruction at Newquay airport before joining the team at Cornwall Flying Club on a part-time basis.
Martyn enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with those new to aviation and only wishes he lived closer to the airfield so he could spend more time there!
Matt Milburn
‘AeroDine’ Manager
The AeroDine Cafe is run by Matt Milburn, providing creative cooking with intriguing combinations of ingredients, along with some traditional classics; these wonderfully flavored dishes are based on fresh locally sourced, seasonal produce. Vegetarians, Vegans and special dietary requirements (such as gluten or dairy free) are easily catered for, please mention when booking. Children are welcome and we offer a child’s menu.
“Very friendly welcome and all normal facilities on the airfield so it made a good base to fly into. Even managed to get 3 days hangarage! 2 runways so it was possible to cope with the strong wind on arrival without a problem. Easy to spot and pretty straightforward arrival and circuit procedures. Well worth a visit!”