Airport 86 / BBC TV

[LAS1997]

Almost 30 years ago, the BBC produced a series of six programmes about life at Heathrow and some other UK airports. It was broadcast 'live' on BBC 2 at lunch time during November 1986 and hosted by Mike Smith and Sarah Greene. The following are people who appeared in the series, where are they now?


Captain John Stevens (Boeing 757 Captain)
Captain Rod Fulton (Boeing 757 Captain)
First Officer Peter Blake (Boeing 757)
Phil Mackenzie (BA Duty Operations Control Manager)
Chris Watkinson (BA Flight Dispatcher)
Paula Peterzan (BA Stewardess / Boeing 747's)
Jane Colledge (Logan Air / Barra / Station Manager)
Jenny Palmer (BA Apprentice Engineer)
Jill Develin (CFI at Redhill Aerodrome & F/O with BAF on Viscounts)
Bob Brookes (ATC West Drayton)
Wendy Campbell (ATC Controller LHR)
Gordon Morehouse (ATC LHR)
Captain Jeff Price (British Midland / BAC 1-11 G-WLAD)
Alma Holmes (BAA Flight Arrivals Information)
Maurice Tomkinson (Deputy Collector HM Customs & Excise)
Roma Leslie (Dog Handler Customs & Excise|)
Flo Kingdon (Terminal 4 Publicity)
Captain Anne Cranfiled (B-Cal Captain on BAC 1-11's)
Mike King (BAA Airport Chairman)
Mike Perry (CAA Chief Officer LHR)
Charles Stuart (Brymon Airways)
Captain Harry Gee (Chief Pilot / Brymon Airways)
Captain Mike Barrett (Helicopter pilot Air Hanson / McCalpine?)
Ken Ibell (General Manager at London ATC)


I guess some may still be working, but most retired or perhaps no longer with us; it would be interesting to hear from anyone who participated in this interesting series.

[LAS1997]

Yes it was Keith Perry, my mistake, typo! It was a great series and I recently came across a copy of it on DVD; brings back some memories of working at LHR in the 1980's.

[eckhard]

Jill Develin was B747 captain and now B777 captain at BA.

She will do you a very fair Flight Instructor Rating renewal/revalidation if asked.

BA base LHR/LGW

GA base Redhill/Blackbushe

[flite idol]

Be a good sport and Upload it to youtube so we can all enjoy

[LAS1997]

Cant do that; but here is a taster from the Tube


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m4wKg8VjKw


You can obtain a copy of the series from Classic Aviation TV.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

The Chief Officer was Mike Perry. I don't recall a Keith Perry, nor does the name appear in the staff list I helped to compile for the book on 50 years of Heathrow ATC..

If that was the series where the BBC had 200 staff milling around I remember it well. One of the presenters was in the tower during a busy period and was asking the AIR ARR controller if all watches operated to the same standard. My colleague replied "yes" and in a stage whisper I said "but don't fly into Gatwick". I'm still receiving letter bombs to this day!

Wendy Campbell is now Wendy Wilson, living in Norfolk. The AIR ARR controller was Alistair McLean and I was the AIR DEP controller.

HTH Brendan McCartney

[Brian 48nav]

Basil

Wasn't there a Keith Perry who graduated on our South Cerney course ( 218 ) ?

I can't lay my hands on the graduation photo' - must be in store!

From the book that HD refers to;

Gordon Morehouse deceased 2002
Ken Ibell retired 1990

Ah! The lovely Wendy!

[tompy575]

I'm Jeff Price's son and am trying to get hold of the DVD of this as the VHS we had was damaged!


The Classic Aviation TV website is out of stock, I don't suppose anyone can help?

[Capt. Tango]

Hello Tompy575,

I knew your father when he flew for Air Cymru out of Bristol and Cardiff
on the 1-11.
He got the nickname "Bomber Price" at Bristol due to turning up for duty
in a big flying jacket.
How is he, and i think ive got a VHS video of the Heathrow '86 show.
Rgds
CT

[Doors to Automatic]

I remember Capt Jeff Price for his amazing patience as he had Mike Smith wittering in his ear as he was trying to fly an ILS down to minimums during a foul November day onto (what was then) 28L at LHR!

[woodpecker]

Bumped into John Stevens (around 30 West) on the Queen Mary 2... small world.

[Dodgy Boy]

Is that the same John Stevens who went on to work for Airtours then Air 2000 before retiring?

[turbine100]

Jill Develin did my CPL flight test exam. Very professional and excellent aviator.

[tompy575]

He is well thanks, He is now flying gliders after retiring from the 744 a few years ago. I'll try out that nickname and see if it sticks!

I managed to find the video online in the end, it's the only snippet of it that I can find. If I find the link again I'll post it.

Thanks

Tom

[SamiG]

Paula Peterzan

I worked for Paula Peterzan in the late 1980s when she was an HR Manager alongside Gwynne Fox, Joy Horden and Sue Miller. They made a brilliant and formidable team. Sadly, Paula passed away soon after. I often recall her beauty, warmth and laughter.

[DCP667]

Mike Perry

Hi all
Mike Perry is my father, now 86 still going strong I vaguely remember him doing this series and I think we have some stills at home somewhere. I recall that he thought Sarah Greene was lovely but was less please with nameless others
regards Doug Perry

[Mooncrest]

The sequence with the BM/Airways Cymru 1-11 flying from LBA to LHR can be seen on Vimeo.

[Yarpy]

Vimeo also host this classic piece with Anne Cranfield making her 'I wish I had a wife' joke:

British Caledonian BAC 1-11 pilot

Vimeo

Imagine saying that today!