Capt Chris Pettit
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: EGNX
Posts: 1,173
Capt Chris Pettit
20 years ago today on August 20th, 1986 at the end of a family holiday to the US I was a passenger on BA 084. I asked to visit the cockpit en route and met an extremely friendly crew including Captain Chris Pettit who, at the end of the visit, invited me back to sit in on the landing at Heathrow.
For the crew another routine flight; for me a truly incredible experience and a life changing moment setting me firmly on the path to what has become a very successful career in aviation.
Does anyone know if Capt Pettit is still working for BA (he must be close to retirement now?). Any info that anyone can give me to help get in touch and say a big thank you 20 years on would be much appreciated.
For the crew another routine flight; for me a truly incredible experience and a life changing moment setting me firmly on the path to what has become a very successful career in aviation.
Does anyone know if Capt Pettit is still working for BA (he must be close to retirement now?). Any info that anyone can give me to help get in touch and say a big thank you 20 years on would be much appreciated.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 4
Re: Chris Pettit
I hope somebody comes up with contact details for Chris, or at least draws his attention to your kind post which I'm sure will bring a smile to his face. I believe that he would have retired from BA when he reached 55 (probably about 5 years ago). He had been a well-respected training captain on the 747-400 since BA introduced it in 1989. I didn't hear of him going on to fly elsewhere, but he may well have done so as he would have been a great asset to any airline.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: In "BIG SKY".
Age: 81
Posts: 418
Chris Pettit.
When you find Chris ask him about the "Royal Standard" incident on a certain rather special flight when he was an F/O!!!
He can't get me a trip to the big house as I am in the colonies now!!
A great guy as F/O and as a Captain.
Speedbird 48.
He can't get me a trip to the big house as I am in the colonies now!!
A great guy as F/O and as a Captain.
Speedbird 48.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: England
Age: 74
Posts: 12
What a Lovely Surprise!
I always said it was the folk you met that made aviation such a wonderful experience. I have been blushing terribly these last few moments at the kind things said, but if I helped anyone to pursue a career in aviation, then I am a happy man.
Yes, I retired in 2001 from the Boeing 747-400 in BA. I was offered a job in a start-up airline, but sadly it came to nothing. I did a bit of gliding at Booker with the Aiways Flying Club, but found I was spending too long away from my wife! These days I 'fly' and teach with BAVirtual - an online flying hobby. It's great fun, as a fair few current and past aircrew will testify. As I write I am simulating a flight from Delhi to London on board a B787-9 Dreamliner. Although a different aircraft to the one I flew, it still stirs the memory banks. Another of my ilk is Captain Mike Codd, and I still keep in touch with my old boss, Captain David Williamson.
I certainly do remember the incident with the "Royal Standard" - I have 'dined out' on the tale on numerous occasions! In conclusion, I was told that as I had retired 3 months before 9/11 and its repercussions, that I had enjoyed the 'Golden Years'of civil aviation. As we experience the Covid crisis that certainly appears to be so at the present. However I am absolutely certain, like the Phoenix, that aviation will rise to equal, if not greater heights (or should that be 'altitude'?) in the future.
A Happy New Year to all and Good Luck!
Yes, I retired in 2001 from the Boeing 747-400 in BA. I was offered a job in a start-up airline, but sadly it came to nothing. I did a bit of gliding at Booker with the Aiways Flying Club, but found I was spending too long away from my wife! These days I 'fly' and teach with BAVirtual - an online flying hobby. It's great fun, as a fair few current and past aircrew will testify. As I write I am simulating a flight from Delhi to London on board a B787-9 Dreamliner. Although a different aircraft to the one I flew, it still stirs the memory banks. Another of my ilk is Captain Mike Codd, and I still keep in touch with my old boss, Captain David Williamson.
I certainly do remember the incident with the "Royal Standard" - I have 'dined out' on the tale on numerous occasions! In conclusion, I was told that as I had retired 3 months before 9/11 and its repercussions, that I had enjoyed the 'Golden Years'of civil aviation. As we experience the Covid crisis that certainly appears to be so at the present. However I am absolutely certain, like the Phoenix, that aviation will rise to equal, if not greater heights (or should that be 'altitude'?) in the future.
A Happy New Year to all and Good Luck!
