Martin Jones is the owner and operator of Derby Airfield.
However, that’s just the start. He is also a powerful advocate for general aviation in the UK and a strong supporter of UK airfields and aviation but is he fighting a losing battle and with little government support?
Martin’s is an interesting and an inspiring story. Plane Speaking was invited to talk with him about his long and fascinating career, and Martin was keen to discuss the situation as he sees it in the UK today as much as describing his career to date.
He maintains that general aviation is a massive cash cow for the government with taxes, VAT, fuel duties, approach and landing fees and rates hitting the sector hard. “Not one penny” comes back, Martin explains. He asks, “where will tomorrow’s pilots, engineers and future air traffic controllers come from?” Since airlines underpin the world’s economy, why is the UK doing so little to support it or promote it. “We need to speak up for ourselves.”
Martin is tired of the unfair criticisms of air travel. As he points out, pollution in terms of passenger miles per gallon by comparison with other modes of transport is very low. He believes it’s time that the aviation industry stood up for itself.
Martin is no fool. He holds an Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering having first worked as a graduate trainee for Rolls Royce, Aero Engine Division in Derby. He transferred to the British Rail Research Department and worked there on the Advanced Passenger Train. He was a Chartered Engineer at just 29 and later became project manager for pioneering the lightweight Leyland bus-bodied trains that have only just been retired after 40 years of service.
He once demonstrated a prototype railbus in Boston USA; the only British Rail vehicle ever to have been run in America. This was used in support of President Jimmy Carter’s election bid in 1980.
In 1981 Martin set up his own aviation company, Airspeed Aviation Ltd, initially for light aircraft maintenance and repair at Nottingham Tollerton. Martin took the opportunity to take on a lease to restart flying at the former Derby Airport at Burnaston, which had closed in 1964.
He then branched out into flying training and, much later, purchased the green field site for a new CAA licensed Aerodrome, which is now Derby Airfield, EGBD. Martin fought and won a number of planning public inquiries and, for many years, was the winner of the prestigious Lennox Boyd trophy for services to flying training.
Martin continues to work with his wife Margaret, elder son, Paul as Chief Flying Instructor and younger son, David as Chief Engineer. Together, they continue to operate Derby Airfield which continues to grow. A new hangar is under construction and technically EGBD is now an airport. The family has it covered!
A passionate supporter of all UK airfields, Martin maintains the importance of which, he feels, will not be appreciated until they start to disappear! As he explains: “To establish an aerodrome on a new site, nowadays, is virtually impossible. He recommends everyone to subscribe to the Strategic Aerodrome Network study website, www.san-ga.co.uk compiled by Louise Southern and Anne Bartaby. “Compare the lack of support in the UK to the USA and even to Europe where many airfields are government financed. Look even at our own Civil Aviation Authority which has almost no government support except when they run out of money. Look at how much individuals are having to pay for licences. It is scandalous.”
In 2012 Martin was elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. In 2013 he was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) for building a Rollason Beta from plans and given a Certificate of Merit by the Royal Aero Club in 2017 for services to flying training.
He has held a Pilot’s licence since 1974 and was a CAA approved test pilot for routine CoA renewals.
Martin is still a qualified licensed engineer with extensive coverage including the now rare “D” licence which allows complete engine overhaul.
As the Accountable Manager for Airspeed Aviation Ltd he is proud the business holds three approvals – for maintenance, flying training and aerodrome operation, and he remains an Inspector for the Light Aviation Association.
Martin set up a charity to encourage young people to become involved with the restoration of Turbulent G-APNZ, made famous for having been flown by the late HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1959. This is the only single seater to have been flown by a member of the royal family.
Martin continues to host visitors from the Royal Aeronautical Society and youngsters on so called “Cool Aeronautics” days.
Martin continues to love aircraft and especially the older types. He is the owner of a modest fleet of light aircraft operated through the Derby Aero Club, and is the owner and restorer of DH88 Comet Racer G-ACSP “Black Magic.” He recently acquired a Comper Swift G-ABTC for restoration and is rebuilding a Falco. He keeps himself very busy.
Martin is a strong believer in the potential future and the importance of general aviation and argues forcibly that the airlines and the government have a responsibility to ensure its success.
“We pay for doctors to become qualified and yet offer no help to pilots.” As he said: “a piece of tarmac laid on the ground may take a driver one mile across the ground. The same length of tarmac across an airfield can take its occupants hundreds and thousands of miles. The value to the economy of a thriving aviation scene for a country should not be underestimated and yet government after government ignores its true worth to the economy.”
“People should appreciate just how much produce is brought into the UK by air.” he continues. “Perhaps if produce was labelled indicating how the item was transported, people would appreciate more the value of air transport.”
Martin maintains that despite the worldwide opportunities there are no qualifications as such for candidates in aviation. He explains:
“Aviation revolves around licences, not qualifications which have to be expensively obtained and renewed periodically, have health and age limitations and can be revoked for unprofessional behaviour. This includes pilots’ licences, engineers’ licences and air traffic controllers’ licences. Unlike licences, qualifications are for life! The holder of a degree or a doctorate cannot have that qualification removed, even if they end up in jail. Our state educational establishments only recognise and fund courses that lead to qualifications and so, aviation is ignored. Young people in the UK deserve much better if the sector is to thrive.”
Martin has no plans to retire or to give up fighting for his own and for other airfields. He is an old-school engineer and aviator. His flying school values the importance of ground briefings and debriefings and operates within a wide catchment area. There is no shortage of students and instructors are paid for both their work on the ground as well as the air. “We believe in giving value for money and for thorough flight and ground training.”
Ignore the value of people like Martin and the future of aviation in the UK will not be a good one. But is it too late to alter the direction flight training is heading. Airfields closing, flight schools closing or sending their training abroad, people like Martin are now few and far between.
Take a trip to Derby Airfield, (EGBD), meet Martin and his team. You won’t regret it!
Thank-you again to Martin Jones for being this month’s guest for Plane Speaking and for being such a strong supporter of the industry.
© David Hoy.
Martin Jones BSc, FRAeS, LAE.
MD of Airspeed Aviation Ltd.
Owner and operator of Derby Airfield (EGBD).