On-Track Aviation

On-Track Aviation Team

DIRECTOR / HEAD OF TRAINING / CHIEF FLYING INSTRUCTOR
	Alan Newton - Born in Cheshire and after leaving College joined the Royal Air Force in 1979. During his 17 years in the Royal Air Force Alan saw operational tours on the Handley Page Victor K2 during the Falklands Conflict and the Vickers VC10 K2/K3 during the Gulf War. He also spent several years as a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) and Instrument Rating Examiner (IRE) on the Tucano T1 and Jet Provost 3A/5A gaining an A2 Instructor Category. After leaving the Royal Air Force Alan joined Cathay Pacific Airways. For the next 25 years he flew the Boeing 747 classic, Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 747-8 before leaving in 2021 to work full time at On-Track Aviation. He is an RTF Examiner, Flight Examiner, GR Examiner, Senior Examiner, Flight Instructor Examiner and a Class Rating Examiner on both land and seaplanes. He also holds FCL.900(c), FCL.1000(c) and Senior Examiner privileges from the Danish CAA [Trafikstyrelsen]. In addition, he is a columnist for Flight Training News. In 2007 Alan was awarded the Chipmunk Trophy by the British Aerobatics Association and in 2014 he was awarded a Master Air Pilot Certificate by the Honourable Company of Air Pilots. In 2015 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Alan is a Director of On-Track Aviation Limited and the Head of Training and Chief Flying Instructor.

DIRECTOR
	Simon Mitchell - Simon, who lives in Warwickshire, was born in Birmingham into a Royal Air Force (RAF) family where his father was a Fighter Controller and his uncle a Pilot. As soon as he was 13 years old, he joined the Air Training Corps (ATC) getting his first taste of flying in RAF Chipmunks. Later he served in the Royal Auxilary Air Force (RAuxAF) for 8 years, which included many operational detachments around the world. Simon has been flying for over 35 years and holds an CPL(A) with Instrument Rating. Before joining On-Track Aviation Limited, Simon was with Wellesbourne Aviation where he was the Head of Training. He was a Flight Instructor Course Instructor, GR Examiner, Flight Examiner and a Wellesbourne Mountford Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer (FISO). He is an ELP administrator and interlocutor. Simon is a Director of On-Track Aviation Limited.

INSTRUCTOR / EXAMINER TEAM
	Simon Atkins - was born in Tyne and Wear and started his aviation journey as an Air Cadet gaining a PPL(A) at the age of 17. Afterwards he progressed on to become an instructor and examiner at Cranfield. His commercial flying was in business jets operating the Citation II, Citation Bravo and Citation 525. He then moved to Wycombe Air Park as a full time instructor where he progressed to become a multi-engine and FIC instructor, eventually becoming the Head of Training. Currently he is the Chief Pilot and Chief Training Captain for a commercial operator flying the King Air 200 and a line pilot and examiner on the BN2T Turbine Islander. In 2018 Simon was awarded the AOPA (UK) instructor of the year award. He is a Flight Examiner, Flight Instructor Examiner, Class Rating Examiner, Instrument Rating Examiner and Senior Examiner. He also holds FCL.900(c), FCL.1000(c) and Senior Examiner privileges from the Danish CAA [Trafikstyrelsen]

	Christine Bell - She first started flying in gliders while at University in Belfast. After gaining a degree in Maths and becoming an Investment Manager in the City of London, she revisited gliding and also gained her PPL(A). Several years later, with two children at school, Christine gained her CPL(A). She specialises in tailwheel differences training. Christine previously owned a Piper Super Cub which she kept at Wellesbourne Mountford Aerodrome. Christine is an Flight Instructor Examiner, Flight Examiner and GR Examiner. She also holds FCL.900(c) and FCL.1000(c) privileges from the Danish CAA [Trafikstyrelsen]

	Stephen Brand - Steve spent over 20 years in both the Royal Australian Navy and Airforce, flying fast jets, helicopters and heavy transport aircraft. His last operational tour was as Training Flight Commander on C130H 'Hercules' aircraft. In 1994, he retired from the military and went on to become, over the following 17 years, a Ski Instructor in Austria, Project Manager for J&J and Consultant for a UK Management Consultancy. In 2011, he was asked to deliver aviation theory training to new instructor pilots at Gulf Air, Bahrain, which rekindled his enthusiasm for flying and subsequently resulted in him being appointed as Head of Multi Pilot Training at Oxford. Two years later, he accepted a position as Head of Training at the newly established Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA), Dubai. Finally, after a short tour as Head of Training at Fiji Air, Steve returned to the UK, where he is now Chief Pilot at DEA Aviation. He holds both UK CAA and IAA pilot licenses with CRI and IRI privileges.

	Jon Cooke - Jon has instructed on a wide variety of vintage and modern aircraft, and retains his passion for flying and instructing. Amongst other aircraft, he instructs in the Supermarine Spitfire for Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar and is a Training Captain on the DeHavilland Dragon Rapide. Jon’s airline career has taken him worldwide flying the Handley Page Herald, Boeing 737-3/4/500, Boeing 747, Boeing 777, Airbus 320; he is currently a Boeing 787 Captain for a major UK airline. Jon was chairman of the Pilot Coaching Scheme for the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) for many years and a Regional Safety Officer (RSO) for GASCo. In 2020, along with his fellow RSOs, he was awarded The Sword of Honour by the Honourable Company of Air Pilots. He also instructs for Aerobility where the team were honoured in 2025 with The King's Award for Voluntary Service. Jon is a Senior Examiner, Flight Instructor Examiner, Flight Examiner, Class Rating Examiner, Instrument Rating Examiner, Air/Ground Operator Examiner and GR Examiner. He holds FCL.900(c) and FCL.1000(c) privileges from the Danish CAA [Trafikstyrelsen]. In addition, he holds FAA instructor certificates. In 2010 he was the first FAA instructor in the UK to gain a Master CFI Accreditation from the Master Instructors LLC. Jon was awarded a Bronze Medal by the Royal Aero Club in 2015 and 2019 for outstanding achievement in aviation

	John Eburne - Born in Coventry, John has had a life long love of flight which saw him gain his PPL in 1992 at Coventry Airport. Achieving a CPL in 1998 and qualifying as a flight instructor in 1999. John, who is a Pensions and Retirement Planner, works part time as a flight instructor. He has a great deal of experience in General Aviation, working for a number of flying schools over the years. He teaches for the CPL, PPL, IMC Rating and Night Rating. John is a Flight Instructor Examiner, Flight Examiner and GR Examiner. He also holds FCL.900(c) and FCL.1000(c) privileges from the Danish CAA [Trafikstyrelsen]

	Mike Grierson - Trained as a radio engineer before joining the Royal Air Force where he served as a navigator on the Victor, Hercules, VC10, Devon and DC3. In addition, Mike graduated from the Staff Navigation Course, instructed at the Royal Air Force Officer Cadet Training Unit and was the Operations Support Manager for the Tristar. After a long career in the Royal Air Force Mike joined the CAA as a Training Standards Inspector in 1995, retiring in May 2008. He obtained his PPL in 1989, BCPL with AFI rating in 1992 and went onto gain an ATPL 4 years later. As a flying instructor Mike has taught students on RAF Flying Scholarships, PPL and Instructor Courses. Mike was awarded the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators Master Air Navigator Certificate in 2000. He was a FRTOL Examiner, Flight Examiner, Senior Examiner and a Flight Instructor Examiner. In 2014 Mike was awarded a Master Air Pilot Certificate by the Honourable Company of Air Pilots

	Lee Merritt - Born in Cambridge, he has been flying for over twenty years. He is a full-time Flight Instructor and is the Chief Flying Instructor at Cranfield. He studied ATPL theoretical knowledge in-house at CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, and is the founder of Easy PPL Ground School. He has flown over 50 types of aircraft during his career. Lee is a Flight Instructor Examiner, Flight Examiner, FRTOL Examiner and GR Examiner. He also holds FCL.900(c), FCL.1000(c) and Senior Examiner privileges from the Danish CAA [Trafikstyrelsen]

	Steve Oddy - After gaining a degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Steve flew Vulcans and Canberras in the Royal Air Force as well as instructing on Jet Provosts. On retirement he joined BAe Systems and spent 8 years in Saudi Arabia instructing on the PC-9 where he helped set up and run the Royal Saudi Air Force’s flight instructor training school. Back in the UK he joined the CAA after a short period instructing for Oxford Air Training School, and became one of the UK’s small number of Staff Flight Examiners. In his 11 years with the CAA he carried out over 2000 instrument rating tests as well as many examiner authorisation tests; he also edited the UK Flight Examiners’ Handbook (FEH) as well as a number of Standards Documents. On leaving the CAA he has retained his examiner qualifications and now operates as a freelance examiner, and recently helped the CAA to produce the EASA edition of the UK FEH. Steve has a second degree in computer science and mathematics and is a Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He is the managing director of Oddsoft Limited, producers of the Radio Aids Navigation Tutor (RANT). Steve is an Instrument Rating Examiner, Flight Examiner, Senior Examiner, Class Rating Examiner and Flight Instructor Examiner. He also holds FCL.900(c) and FCL.1000(c) privileges from the Danish CAA [Trafikstyrelsen]

	Richard Pitts - Richard who was born in London has over 45 years of Flying experience. He served over 20 years in the Royal Air Force, flying in fast jets, air to air refuelling tankers and training, gaining an A2 instructor category. After leaving the RAF, he qualified as a Flight Instructor and Flight Examiner on single engine and multi-engine aeroplanes and flew free-lance as a King Air 90/200, Beech 58P and C-421 pilot. In 2005, Richard joined Netjets and flew the Hawker 750/800XP/XPI and Challenger 350 aircraft. During this time, he continued to instruct for both UK and EASA licenses and ratings. After retiring from commercial aviation he joined On-Track Aviation in 2026. Richard holds both UK and Irish pilot licenses with instructor and examiner certificates

	Ian Stevenson - Originally from Scotland, Ian learnt to fly at Wellesbourne Mountford Aerodrome with South Warwickshire Flying School (SWFS), gaining his pilot's licence for recreational flying in 2001 and taking part ownership of a C172 which is still in use at SWFS. Making a career change in 2010 he went on to gain his IMC Rating, CPL and Instructor Certificate, and has been instructing in a variety of Cessna and Piper aeroplanes since 2012 on a near-full time basis. Ian is also a Flight Instructor Examiner, Flight Examiner and a GR Examiner. He also holds FCL.900(c) and FCL1000(c) privileges from the Danish CAA [Trafikstyrelsen]

	Peter Thompson - Peter joined the Royal Air Force as an electronics apprentice in 1958, and was commissioned as an Air Electronics Officer in 1964. Following 4 years on Shackleton aircraft he retrained as a pilot, completing advanced flying training on the Gnat in 1969. He attended the CFS instructors course in 1970, following which he served as a QFI on the Jet Provost, gaining A2 QFI standard and qualifying as an IRE. In 1973 he was seconded to British Aerospace in Saudi Arabia , instructing on the BAC 167 Strikemaster, leaving in 1977 to join Laker Airways as a DC-10 pilot. With the demise of Laker Airways he returned to the world of military aviation as a civilian instructor on the Strikemaster in Ecuador, teaching at all levels from basic to weapons and tactics. In 1984 he returned to Saudi Arabia to instruct on the Strikemaster, becoming the OC Standards and then CFI. In 1993 he returned to the UK to take up a position instructing with the Joint Elementary Flying Training School on the T67 Firefly, initially as a Flight Commander and latterly as Head of Training. This was followed in 1995 by a move to Oxford to manage the Skyvan military parachuting contract which ended in 2006.Peter is a Flight Instructor Examiner and Class Rating Examiner. He also holds FCL.900(c) and FCL.1000(c) privileges from the Danish CAA [Trafikstyrelsen]

	Alec Trevett - Born in Wiltshire and started gliding as a 'mere lad' with the Air Training Corps at South Cerney. Alec was commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 1973 as a fighter controller and, over a 30-year career, served in a wide range of operational, training, examining, command and staff appointments in the UK and overseas. Originally trained as an FI by On-Track Aviation in 2001, Alec has a background teaching PPL student at RAF Halton as well as carrying out tail wheel and AOPA (UK) Aerobatic Certificate training on the chipmunk. Since he left the RAF in 2003 Alec operated in a number of aviation roles for Lockheed Martin STASYS, the UK CAA, CAA International and, until he retired in 2020, was the Global Safety Manager for CAE Oxford Aviation Academy where he oversaw safety management of its worldwide network of flight training centres. In his spare time, Alec is one of the General Aviation Safely Council (GASCo) regional safety officers delivering safety evenings at venues around the South Midlands and is an independent pilot member of the CHIRP General Aviation Advisory Board. Alec has been instructing with OnTrack Aviation since 2006 and is a Flight Instructor Examiner, Flight Examiner and A-UPRT instructor. He also holds FCL.1000(c) and FCL.900(c) privileges from the Danish CAA [Trafikstyrelsen]

	SAFETY MANAGER / COMPLIANCE MONITORING MANAGER
	Paul Barker - Paul who is married with two grown up daughters and two grandchildren, was born in Newark. He was commissioned in the RAF as a Fighter Control officer, and recently retired after 20 years in the international Oil and Gas sector as regional Security Advisor for Russia/CIS. Paul gained his PPL (A) in Nigeria in 1979, and also qualified for his Zimbabwe PPL (A) in 1981, and UK PPL(A), Night Rating and IMC Rating in 1983/5. From 1985 for over 5 years Paul was a part-time motor glider instructor teaching the Air Cadets on Ventures and latterly Grob 109B’s at RAF Little Rissington. Paul runs his own Risk Management company and is the On-Track Aviation Limited Safety Manager and Compliance Monitoring Manager. In addition, he is an ELP administrator

OPERATIONS / ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT TEAM
	Tim Elkins - Born in Solihull, Tim spent 35 years as a solicitor and is now involved part time in property matters. A lifelong passion for aviation resulted in him obtaining a PPL in 2006 and he now has a share in a Piper Cherokee based at Turweston. He has a particular passion for vintage and historic aircraft and has completed a tailwheel differences training course to enable him to achieve a long held ambition to fly a Rollason Turbulent! In the summer he can be found regularly at Bicester hand swinging Tiger Moths. Tim is also on the committee of the Historic Aircraft Association. Tim is a part-time Operations / Administrator

	Faith Young - Born in Northampton, Faith started flying aged 17. She then became a part time motor glider instructor teaching the Air Cadets and Combined Cadet Forces which she did for 7 years. She has also worked as a part-time FISO at Sywell Aerodrome and was the Operations / Administration Support team leader for On-Track Aviation. Faith is the company book keeper