Exeter Aero Club
Greetings! I have just joined! What caught my attention was that you learned to fly at Exeter Aero Club in 1959. Just two years before you, I did likewise, care of the ATC Flying Scholarship Scheme. I completed 30 hours on Tiger Moths, mostly on G-ANOR, but also on G-ANOS and G-AHVV. My main instructor was Mr E.T. 'Joe' Heelas, but I also had the privilege of flying with Wg Cdr Pearse (now deceased) and John Oliver. I think Wg Cdr Pearse (excellent QFI patter!) was Managing Director of both Exeter and Plymouth Airports.
John Oliver was one of those marvellous men who flew the Balliols and Mosquitoes of the Exeter-based No 3 CAACU, and went on to become a check-captain on the Concorde. I flew just two sorties with Mrs Yvonne Pope, in Austers G-AJUO and G-AJIP, converting onto type. I would not have remembered her from that superb link posted on the Auster at Exeter. I believe she retired in 1980, aged fifty.
I was in awe of Joe Heelas. He seemed very old at the time (I was just seventeen!) and had a toothbrush moustache. He had about 24,000 flying hours, ranging from pre-WW2 Hart Variants, and was a superb pilot. Have you any information about him - what he did after leaving as CFI at Exeter Aero Club? I heard a rumour that he had emigrated to Australia, but this is not substantiated. He certainly kick-started my career as a pilot in the RAF and subsequently Civil Aviation. By the way, I packed loads of passenger hours in the Balliols and Mosquitoes - an unforgettable experience. I look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes, Karswell.