Peter Batson MBE

Pete joined the RAF in 1969 as an aircraft engineer, he was commissioned as a pilot in 1976. Pete is a highly experienced pilot, instructor and examiner with over 10,000 flying hours and nearly 5000 instructional hours. He has flown the Vulcan, Jet Provost, Hawk, Tornado GR1 and GR4, Jetstream, Tucano and Tutor; he flew operational missions over Iraq in 1991 and 1992.

As a Qualified Flying Instructor and Instrument Rating Examiner, Pete has taught at all stages of RAF flying training and during his numerous tours on the Tornado. He was awarded the Central Flying School (CFS) A1 qualification on the Tornado and carried that across to 4 other aircraft types. In 1998 he was posted to CFS HQ where he was responsible for the quality of flying training delivered to all 3 armed services in both basic and fast-jet roles. In January 2001 he was appointed an MBE for services to military flying instruction.

Pete retired from the RAF in 2003 and then worked in the Tornado simulator as a civilian instructor for 3 years. Still with a desire to fly he rejoined the RAF as Full Time Reservist flying and instructing on the Grob Tutor in the Elementary Flying Training role; he retired finally in 2016. With over 30 years experience of instructing in the operational and flying training roles, he understands fully the demands placed on students new to aviation.