The Air Display Foundation has announced that Gary Elson is stepping down from his role as organiser of Meet the Pilots after 20 years.
Gary’s retirement comes ahead of this year’s Meet the Pilots event on Tuesday 8 September. Jon Le Ray will succeed him in the role.
Gary created Meet the Pilots in 2006 when he secured permission for members of the public to access the Royal Navy’s ‘Black Cats’ Lynx helicopter, which was based at Guernsey Airport. Before this, Guernsey Air Display aircraft had operated from Jersey.
The following year, the event moved to the ASG apron, enabling the number of featured aircraft to more than double, with over 500 people attending to see the aircraft up close and meet the crews. By 2017, 10,000 people had attended Meet the Pilots.
The event has since hosted numerous RAF and private aircraft. Following a pause during COVID, Meet the Pilots moved from ASG to the East Apron in 2022, allowing larger aircraft to attend.
“As an air traffic controller, I take getting up close to aircraft for granted. To the wider public, it is something special, especially when there are military or vintage types which they may only have seen in books or on television,” Gary Elson said.
“All crews were happy to engage with the public and many pilots left with tired arms from lifting so many children into aircraft! There is nothing quite like standing in the middle of it all and watching many families interacting with the pilots.
“I must say a big thank you to everyone at the airport, ASG, Aiglle Flight Support and my team of volunteer marshals, without whom none of it would have been possible.”
Families have remained at the heart of the event year after year. The afternoon also gives those interested in a career in aviation the opportunity to explore it further and serves as a key fundraiser for The Guernsey Air Display.
Titan Wealth became the event’s main sponsor in 2018, with Aiglle Flight Support joining as a secondary sponsor this year.
Natalie Davidson, Event Organiser at Black Vanilla, added: “Gary has been a key contributor to the Air Display Foundation for the last 20 years. Through his organisation of Meet the Pilots, his involvement in our Educate and Inspire programme in schools, and his work to secure support for the long-term future of the main display, he has been instrumental in the Foundation’s work.
‘Meet the Pilots has been, and will remain, a key event for islanders to enjoy, giving those considering a career in aviation the chance to speak to the crews before they take to the skies, whilst also raising vital funds for the Display. It has been a pleasure to work with Gary, and we look forward to continuing his legacy through Meet the Pilots for many years to come.”
