Prepare for take-off with Orkney Aviation Festival

If flying vintage aeroplanes and the Second World War are your thing, you couldn’t do better than head for the Orkney Aviation Festival, which begins tomorrow and runs until Sunday.

This year, the festival will reach new heights with their programme, highlighting special guest and long-term female aviator Shona Bowman, who will offer individual flights in the De Havilland Dragon Rapide, G-AHAG.

The 1944 RAF-commissioned G-AHAG has a fascinating history.

After years of use as a charter and pleasure flights aeroplane by Lancashire Aircraft Corporation, it was rescued from destruction by Scillonia Airways, becoming a regular sight over the Scilly Isles.

As it fell into disrepair, it was bought by Ralph Jones of Southern Sailplanes in 1979. Ralph spent the next 30 years restoring the plane.

Sadly, he didn’t live to see its full restoration, but the historic aeroplane is now owned by his son Steve and friend David Findon, and, remarkably, took to the air again in August, 2013, for the first time in 40 years.

This year, the Rapide will be on display in Orkney, and flights can be booked in advance.

British Airways pilot Shona Bowman, who is now based at Heathrow flying most European and domestic routes, will be at the controls to give individual passengers the thrill of a lifetime.

Shona has always had a passion for flying. Growing up in an aviation-loving family, she’s been flying since the age of 15, when she flew solo in a glider.

Shona went on to gain her private pilot’s licence in a light aircraft at the age of 17.

“I had my pilot’s licence before my driving licence!” she exclaims.

Speaking of her time later as a commercial pilot, starting out flying a Shorts 360 based in the Channel Islands, she says: “This was very similar to the island-hopping aviation service now provided in the Highlands and Islands today.

“Outside of work, I continue to fly light aircraft regularly, and am a flying instructor for the charity Aerobility, where disabled people can learn to fly.”

Last year, Shona happily fitted the bill when Steve and David, aiming to fly the Rapide commercially, needed a part-time commercial pilot under the age of 60 with experience of flying tail-wheel aircraft.

“I was absolutely over the moon to be invited to get involved,” says Shona.

“We operated our first commercial pleasure flights last summer, and are really looking forward to our trip to Orkney in September.

“Flying the Rapide is such a massive honour, as there are so few still flying as beautifully restored as AG. It’s an absolute dream to fly!”

Shona is justly proud of her Orkney family connections. “My great-grandfather, Fred Buchanan, was a Lt Col and Commander of the Orkney Royal Garrison Artillery, and his brother, Captain Angus Buchanan, was the explorer famed for leading early explorations across the Sahara desert in the 1920s.”