Blue Skies David

The flying community in the UK lost one of its own today. A highly accomplished aerobatic display pilot and all round nice guy that has left us way before his time.

I first met David Jenkins at the British National Aerobatics Advanced and Unlimited Championships in September 2009. I was working for Mazda at the time who sponsored the event as well as providing flying bursaries to some members of the British Advanced team, of which David was a member. In 2012 and 2013 he held the title of Advanced British Aerobatic Champion.

We'd just finished a month or so going to and from the World Aerobatic Championships in Silverstone and it was a really lovely community of pilots, judges, organisers and sponsors that weekend in September at Sywell Aerodrome. I chatted to David about starting my private pilot's licence training and he recounted some stories of his own experiences.

After that event I bumped into David at various air shows and aerobatic competitions and we often chatted over a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit. By 2012 I was working with Gerald Cooper Unlimited British Aerobatic Champion, based at Wickenby Aerodrome Lincolnshire, who was coaching the British Advanced Aerobatic Team for the World Championships. David was always smiling and enthusiastically talking about flying and competitions but he always took the time to ask how my flying was going too.

In the summer of that year I found myself at a soggy gliding club in Norfolk for the Tibbenham Air Festival with the Turb Team. Ground crewing at the show was cold and could have been miserable if it wasn't for the banter and practical jokes among the pilots and crews.

At the end of the show after a breathtaking aerobatic display David turned on his smoke as he taxied his aircraft in a circle like a peacock displaying his feathers. It was funny although at the time I remember those of us downwind of the smoke were not too impressed!

The last time I bumped into David was at Rougham Airfield in Suffolk last October. We had a brief chat about his flying season with Wildcat Aerobatics and he jokingly grumbled about being beaten by the accomplished 23 year old Michael Pickin to become runner up in the Advanced British Aerobatic Championships the prior month. He had high hopes for the next aerobatic competition and sent his best regards to our mutual friends based down in Kent.

I will remember David as a smiley chap that flew beautifully in his beautiful Edge360 aircraft. He will be sorely missed by the flying community. Blue Skies David and my thoughts with your family and friends at this difficult time.

Photo copyright: Darren Harbar