President

Peter Kember

Flying experience

Air Cadet and commissioned RAFVR officer flying in gliders, Beverley, Anson, Dakota, Britannia aircraft with P1(UT) on Hastings, Chipmunk and Jet Provost. Total of 1350 hours P1 on light single and twin engine aircraft include Yak 52, Havard, Jodel, Tiger Moth, Mooney, ARV, Aztec, various rag wing Pipers including float planes, and Shadow and Cyclone microlights. IMC in Robin aircraft. 640 hours P1 on Europae including monowheel, trigear, 912, 912S, 914 and Subaru engined versions. Europa aerobatics with Ivan Shaw and the late Pete Clark. Formation flying course with Martin Stoner and Pete Thorn. Flight testing of G-OPJK (with 912S and VP prop) G-BXDY, G-BXLK and the unfortunate G-MAVE.

Special skills/experience

Building the first homebuilt Europa to fly and development testing to improve a kit product which initially had many faults. Designing and refining of a range of modifications mainly to improve speed and engine cooling. Qualified chartered town planner specialising in aerodrome planning work.

Locality

Operator, with 3 other pilots (including ex-magazine editor Dave Watts) of Laddingford Aerodrome, the southern UK base for Europa touring kits and the club breakdown service.

Aircraft, and current status

Builder of G-OPJK the oldest homebuilt monowheel (first flight 1995) now sold to a new owner while kit 1000 is being built.

General comments

Contemplating retirement from professional life in order to develop a Southern Europa builder assist facility based at Laddingford. After 8 years the Europa continues to provide an exciting and economical touring aircraft.