About us
Ian MacAdam (Chief Flying Instructor)
Ian established Learn-to-Fly.co.uk as an independent flying school in 2002. With over 20 years flying experience and around 3000 hours on a range of different aircraft, he has been flying hang gliders and microlights since 1987. In 1992 he started flying light aircraft and went to America to obtain his commercial pilot's license (CPL), where he became type rated on twin engine aircraft and seemed destined for a career as an airline pilot.
However, adventure got the better of him and he went to Africa in 1993 to establish Batoka Sky, the microlighting company that offers pleasure flights over the Victoria Falls. The company is still going strong to this day! Ian returned from Zambia in 1996 to experiment with more conventional lines of work whilst remaining an active hang glider and microlight pilot.
In 2002 Ian decided that a nine to five job wasn't for him, so he returned to the world of microlight instruction with fresh enthusiasm. Ian has always maintained his passion for hang gliding, and wanted to show people what it is like to soar above the countryside in a tandem hang glider, so in 2005 he bought the ATOS VX and started the South East’s first BHPA approved Air Experience School.
Anna Cullum (Sales and Finance): Anna left a career as a retail manager to apply her customer service skills and business know-how to the world of flying. While Anna had never been in a light aircraft prior to meeting Ian, she has been now been in the back seat of the microlight more times than she can remember - and is planning to learn how to fly this year. She has also had a couple of spins in the hang glider, so can tell you what to expect! Anna will be managing your booking and meeting and greeting you on the day of your flight
Ian and Anna are very glad to have some helpers...
Paul Henderson (Tug Pilot): Paul was the fastest Learn to Fly student to attain his NPPL (M), but when not flying he can often be spotted propelling himself out of aeroplanes at 13,000 ft! A serious skydiver, one of his latest exploits involved jumping with the Red Devils parachute team. His humour and charm know no bounds, and he will certainly be sending you up with a smile!
Neil Stannard (Tug Pilot): Neil is always glad to lend a hand on his days off from his job as transport policeman. He also flies 3 axis microlights and frequently flies to us in his Skyranger. His son has just been recruited as the youngest ever RAF officer, and is fast on his way to becoming a fully fledged fighter pilot. Obviously runs in the family then!
Steve Smith (Tug Pilot): Steve has hundreds of hours as a microlight pilot, as well as on Group A (light aircraft) and has also been an assistant instructor. He is mad about flying and is always ready to jump on his motorbike to join us at the airfield. When not flying he can lend his hand to a number of trades, particularly the art of restoring houses.
Dave Henderson (Ground Crew): Dave's enthusiasm goes a long way in making the hang gliding operation a really enjoyable one. He has been up in our ATOS more often that anyone - apart from Ian! - so he really knows how to support the operation and make sure it goes smoothly. His particular passion is paramotoring, and he can often be seen experimenting with this nifty flying machine!
A word about “Tugging”
Tugging refers to the art of pulling up a glider or hang glider using another aircraft, in our case, a microlight. Paul, Steve and Neil are all BHPA rated tug pilots, and they helps us on a voluntary basis. They do it because they love the flying of course, but we’d like to express our appreciation for these guys. Without them, no hang gliding!
A special word for Paul Henderson who was ranked top in the 2008 tugging league and chairs the Tuggers Union Meetings!
