So, you want to learn to fly! Our Instructors are here to make sure you achieve your ambitions and have the most fun while you are on your journey. Here’s who you will meet at Swift Light Flight, as well as plenty of other happy microlight flyers at Shobdon Airfield.
Steve Eyers
Chief Flying Instructor – Fixed and Flexwing
Following a brief period managing a café theatre in London’s west end, Steve entered partnership in a contemporary furniture design making business. Following a move to Shropshire with the furniture business, Steve learnt to fly, qualifying for an NPPL microlight licence in 2004.
“I eventually decided to follow the dream of becoming a microlight flying instructor in 2009” and took up an assistant instructor job at Shobdon
As often seems to happen to me, and almost on my first day as an assistant flying instructor, I was offered ownership of the school. As the only other alternative was not to have a job, I took the offer”
Following his upgrade to FI and the addition of ground examiner, Steve added a Flexwing conversion and started to instruct on the GT 450 in addition to the 3-axis machines. Steve also holds a JAR FCL although he says this is rarely used.
Steve is a BMAA inspector and has received IRMT training to work on Rotax 912 engines.
Andy Richards
Flight Instructor – Fixed and Flexwing
Andy was a professional percussionist and music teacher for most of his working life performing around the world in orchestras, big bands, jazz ensembles, rock and pop bands. Throughout his life Andy has always had a passion for aviation, learning to fly gliders in Air Cadets as a teenager and latterly at the Midland Gliding Club as an adult. Andy was Head of Percussion for Shropshire Local Authority for ten years before retiring in 2014 when at the time he was also pursuing a new career as a qualified flight instructor, instructing on three axis (fixed wing) and flex wing microlights.
As a teacher for the last 30 years, teaching in primary and secondary schools, sixth form and higher education colleges, Andy can easily adapt his teaching style to best suit the student’s individual learning style. Andy has a relaxed, patient, and reassuring approach to instructing, accommodating the individual needs of every student. Andy’s philosophy to teaching is simple – “never forget how difficult it was in the beginning” He will always do his best to ensure the student has a positive learning experience.