The Instructors
Derek Bidwell - Chief Flying Instructor
Derek Bidwell (affectionately known as "The Admiral") is our CFI (Chief Flying Instructor). He began flying in the early 1970's and joined Seawing soon after qualifying as a PPL, staying Mainly with Seawing until the present day. He became an instructor and has since accumulated 12,000+ hours overall. Derek has flown most G.A Types, but also has a number of hours (approx 300) on the YAK52 and also L29 Jet. Derek ran a formation team known as "The Seaweeds" and along with Julian Lovett is looking to reform in the near future! He also has an aerobatic display certificate for the YAK52, Derek currently teacher aerobatics.
Paul Ellingford - Deputy Chief Flying Instructor
Paul is our Deputy CFI and Vice Chairman; He began his flying career with Seawing as an instructor, flying over 2000 hours in this role. He also flew the Piper Navajo, flying freight around the UK and Europe. This experience landed him a position as First Officer with BA City flyer on the ATR. He went on to gain a command on the ATR and then become a captain on the Avro RJ Regional Jet. After nine years as a short haul pilot he became a senior First Officer on the 747-400 at British Airways flying worldwide. With more time on his hands Paul gave his time freely to Seawing to help with the running of the club, he teaches PPL, Night Rating and IMC.
Howard Smith - Flying Instructor
Howard gained his PPL at Seawing and undertook his CPL training in the USA before returning to the UK and completing his IR. Soon after he qualified as a Flying Instructor and began Instructing at Seawing. After a couple of busy years at Southend he soon reached 1000 hours flying time and worked on an ad hoc basis for Trans Euro air flying the Piper Seneca around the UK and Europe.
Howard recently completed his Multi Crew Course and now has over 1500 hours flight time, 1000 as Instructor. He teaches PPL, Night and IMC.
Tim Griffiths - Flying Instructor
Tim is a former Royal Navy Bridge Watch keeping Office R who sub-specialized as a Fighter Controller which got him interested in flying. He left the Navy in 2002 and went to Long Beach in California where he completed his PPL. Tim became a member at Seawing shortly after and was often to be found helping out behind the Ops Desk and BBQ's ECT. Having passed hit ATPL written exams whilst working as a dispatcher at Stanstead he undertook the CPL/IR course in 2004. The following year he completed the FI course, and started Instructing at Seawing just two days after having had his Instructor Rating Issued by the CAA! Tim now has over 600 hours flight time and teacher PPL and Night Rating. Aside from the Cessna's and Cherokee's Tim has flown a variety of aircraft ranging from the Seneca, Slingsby Firefly, Grumman AA5 and a glass cockpit EFIS equipped Piper Arrow.
Eric Cousins
Eric had been flying for over 30 years and has been an instructor for at least 25 of those years. Eric has been a Director for many years and owns his own aircraft which he frequently uses for club Trial lessons. He is a very active member of the flying club.
Kevin Benn
Has been flying since 1979 and instructing since 1983. He has an Examiner rating for skill Tests and Ground Examinations and teaches PPL and IMC ratings. He flew many hours with the RAF Air Cadet Scholarships (which flew for many years at Seawing). Kevin has many hours flying the Cirus SR20, Piper Saratoga and the Piper Arrow and has flown in excess of 10,500 hours including a Transatlantic Ferry Trip; He is currently working as a safety pilot for business flights in the UK and Europe when not flying at Seawing.
Bryan O'Driscoll
Bryan gained first professional license in the US in 1978. Gained his UK ATPL and instructed at Seawing for two seasons. Bryan worked for Isles of Scilly Skybus for two years in Cornwall and then flew for British Antarctic Survey for two seasons on Twin Otters. He is now flying the Navajo for Trans Euro Air Alongside his Instructing at Seawing with 4000 Hours Total.
The Directors
Ian Chandler
Ian Chandler gained his PPL with Seawing in 1984 quickly adding Night and IMC ratings. In 1996 Ian gained His PPL/IR rating. He now has over 2,200 Hours, all single engine private flying. He has flown into over 230 airfields in 14 different countries using his PPL to take his family and friends on many holidays and weekend trips throughout the UK and mainland Europe. As well as keeping a watching brief over the Flying Club in his role as Chairman, Ian is always willing to assist any member planning a trip, freely passing on his aviation experiences. Ian is also a member of the Executive and treasurer of PPL/IR Europe, an organization dedicated to promoting and assisting private instrument flying in Europe.
Julian Lovett
Julian is our Financial Director and Treasurer. He started his flying career on his 17th birthday at Seawing in 1998 as a cadet on the Royal Air Force’s Flying Scholarship Scheme. After 6 weeks of intensive training he gained his PPL and has since gone on to gain his IMC and Night ratings with Seawing.
Julian is now training for his Multi Engine CPL and IR and plans to follow a career as a commercial pilot. As well training for his commercial licences, Julian has also been learning the art of aerobatics under the expert tuition from our very own Derek Bidwell, Seawing’s Chief Flying Instructor, with the hope of one day competing at the international level.
Operations
Vivien Dunn
Vivien Dunn (known affectionately to our member as Auntie Viv) is our Operations Manager. She started working at Seawing in 1997. Vivien is responsible for the day to day running and operation of the club and will usually be your first point of contact at Seawing. Over the last 11 years she has become an integral part of the club, not only for administration but for her warm and welcoming nature which has helped to make the club's environment and atmosphere the friendly place it is today.
