Flight Level 500 was founded in 2009 by Will Swinburn with the aim of promoting the piloting profession and making more people aware of the route to becoming a pilot. During the early days of the company, Will Swinburn teamed up with Robb young of Xperience Days to further enhance the company. They now deliver a service that many believe is “too good to be true” offering a one-to-one pilot mentor for those considering flying, those in training and those who have recently graduated. Since its beginnings Flight Level 500 has seen many of its students begin flying courses who are now taking full advantage of their mentor to radically enhance their commercial knowledge.
Name:
Will Swinburn
Description:
Will Swinburn started his flying career in 2004 as documented by the successful 12 month series "Life at Flight School" in Pilot magazine. On graduating, Will flew the Airbus at EasyJet's Gatwick base before a move to London Heathrow in 2008. Having always been passionate about flying training being available to a broader audience and better information being available to those interested in the piloting profession, in early 2009, Will founded Flight Level 500. When not visiting a flight school, speaking with students or indeed operating as flight crew, Will enjoys relaxing at his home in Hampton as well as keeping up with motor racing.
Name:
John Durnan
Description:
John finally realised a childhood dream of becoming an airline pilot in March 2006, after graduating from a UK Intergrated flying school. After a few months searching for his first flying job, John finally secured employment flying the Boeing 757 for a scheduled low cost / charter airline, based in the North of England. Away from aviation, his hobbies include being an active lifeboat crew member for RNLI, music and sport. John found being able to talk to someone who had trained as a pilot just a few years before, really helped him in making a decision to start a flying career. Now, through FL500 he is hoping to be able to offer the same advice and guidance that he was fortunate to receive to others who now wish to embark on a flying career.
Name:
Guy Bowen
Description:
Guy began his flying with the UAS at Southampton University, later heading out to Western Michigan University in 2002. Guy Initially worked as a PPL and aerobatics instructor before getting his break with BA Citixpress in 2004, flying the Dash 8 at Manchester. With the arrival of BA Connect Guy moved down to Bristol flying the Embraer 145. A year later he moved into the right seat of the 747-400 with Oasis Hong Kong Airlines. Following their demise in 2008 and after working for Flybe briefly back on the 145, he joined British Airways, where hopes to remain! He has experienced the turbulent nature of the industry, learning to adapt to the different operation of each company. Guy’s experiences are highly valuable for all FL500 members.
Name:
Robb Young
Description:
Robb grew up in Brighton, England and after 10 years in the Asset Finance industry working for Lombard, Natwest and First National, he returned to full time education and completed his MBA at the University of Cape Town South Africa. In 2004 Robb co-founded Xperience Days, an experience gift company based in New Jersey, USA, which has since grown to become the premier experience gift company in the US market. In addition to Xperience Days Robb is also co-founder of ExperienceGifts.com, a global marketing portal for activity and leisure companies. Robb has travelled extensively having lived in England, Australia, South America, South Africa and the US. Flight Level 500 is his newest venture combining his interests in travel and education.
Name:
Andy Black
Description:
Andy began his flying career at Lydd Aero Club where he was the youngest PPL in the country. After university, he attended a modular course between January 2002 and August 2003. On completing his FI rating, Andy briefly instructed before getting his first airline break in 2004, on the Dash 8 for BA CitiExpress. In November 2005 Andy moved to Birmingham and the Embraer 145. He completed the CRM Instructor’s course in 2006 and was promoted to Captain for Flybe in December 2007. He moved to the Dash 8 Q400 in April 2009 after the 145 was retired. He is currently a Line Training Captain at Birmingham and enjoys both rugby and skiing. He feels his experiences inside as well as outside of aviation place him well to help everyone at FL500.
Name:
Ollie Desforges
Description:
Ollie got his first taste of flying at the age of 13 with the Air Cadets. At 16 he became a gliding instructor with 624 VGS based at RMB Chivenor. He then became a Crew Controller for two years with a regional airline before attending FTE Jerez in 2007. Ollie graduated November 2008, on returning home from Spain Ollie co-founded the Fair Plane campaign, with the objective of equality for student pilots. Ollie now flies the Dash 8 Q-400 out of the Isle of Man. In his spare time Ollie enjoys snorkelling, reading, walking, listening to music and playing bass guitar. He is still with the Air Cadets and is a Civilian Instructor with 440 (1st Manx) Sqn.
Name:
Alex Hutchinson
Description:
Alex is currently flying the A319/320 for easyJet, based in Newcastle. Originally from Berkshire, Alex studied at the University of Southampton before working in accountancy and recruitment then realising his real dream. Alex started training at CTC in July 2007 and did the majority of his training in New Zealand and completed it in the UK. He had to wait just under a year for his first flying job so is in an ideal position to offer guidance to cadets looking to train as a pilot and those currently in training and job hunting. Alex also has various links and knowledge about the various training options. Outside of flying his interests are sport (cricket, football, tennis, golf etc), music (plays the saxophone) and travelling.
Name:
Anthony Fitzmaurice
Description:
Anthony has wanted to fly since he can remember. Joining the cadets aged 13 led to his first solo aged 16 and a PPL at 18 years old. Folowing school, Anthony worked in 'the real world' for a few years in the IT industry. That helped him put finance in place to go through flight school. Graduating in Feb 2010 and starting with Flybe in June, he has just settled at Edinburgh base on the Dash 8 - Q400.
Contact Details
Flight Level 500
17 Mill Walk
Witney
Oxfordshire
OX28 6FY
Tel: 01993 775 303
Email: info@fl500.com
We endeavour to answer all enquiries within 48 hours
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