Aerobatics4You

Steve Carver

Steve Carver Steve is 45 years old, lives in Derbyshire with his wife and three dogs, and works as a Training Captain flying the Embraer 145 regional jet at East Midlands Airport.

Early flying experience was gained through the Air Training Corps flying Chipmunks at RAF Woodvale; and his first solo was in a T31 glider at RAF Burtonwood near Manchester in 1980.

After a science degree at Leeds University and post graduate study at Huddersfield Polytechnic, Steve worked for seven years as a lecturer in Pure and Applied Mathematics. He continued gliding, this time in Derbyshire, and gained a PPL through a "Silver C" conversion at Sherburn In Elmet in 1988. Steve left the education system in 1990 for a season as a glider tug pilot flying Pawnees and a Super Cub at Aboyne airfield in Aberdeenshire to build hours towards a commercial licence.

His first "proper" flying job came in late 1992 as a first officer with Business Air on the Saab 340 based in Aberdeen. After six years on the turbo prop, Steve took part in the introduction of the regional jet to the fleet. He now has approaching 10 000 hours on powered aeroplanes and around 2500 on gliders.

Steve began competing and displaying in 2000 with a Pitts Special, becoming British National Champion at Intermediate level later that year. Moving on to Advanced level, he achieved bronze and silver medals, and now trains at unlimited level in the Extra 260. Steve took bronze in 2006 and will be the first to admit that there's still a lot to do….

Gary Ferriman

Gary Ferriman Gary is a garage proprietor from Nottingham and at 56 he has been flying for over 30 years. His first solo was at Nottingham Tollerton airfield in a Piper Cherokee in 1967; and since then he has flown over forty types and has around 1700 hours in his log book.

Gary has been flying aerobatics since he bought his first Pitts Special G-BLAG in 1995. He has moved up the competition levels steadily since then following success at standard and intermediate levels. He now competes very successfully at advanced level.

Gary became the British Advanced National Champion in July 2006 at Sywell in Northamptonshire. He was a British Advanced team member at the 2002 Advanced World Aerobatic championships that were held in Slovenia, flying with Steve in the Pitts Special. The team finished in 3rd position with Gary receiving a bronze medal. He also flew a Pitts S2B in the Advanced World Championships held in Sweden in 2004, finishing very creditably around half way down the field: the majority of the competitors flying monoplanes which are something of a favourite with the judges given their higher roll rates and very linear appearance.

Nick Riddin

Nick Riddin Nick is the youngest member of the team, a mere 41 year old hard working flying instructor. He teaches at DEFTS, the Defence Elementary Flying Training School at RAF Barkston Heath, and after ten years service is just about to move into the role of flying turboprop aircraft from East Midlands Airport. During his time at DEFTS Nick has taught a variety of military pilots from all three armed forces taking them from ab initio through formation, aerobatics and low level navigation: quite a steep learning curve!

Prior to his first "proper flying job" Nick has worked as a glider tug pilot, he's dropped parachutists and more recently worked in aerial photography throughout the UK. With around 8500 hours in his log book on a wide variety of aircraft types from high performance Extras and Pitts Specials to Luton Minors and Cri Cris Nick is often in demand in the role of test pilot. Many a proud aircraft builder has handed their pride and joy over to Nick for evaluation and rigorous testing prior to the issue of a permit to fly. This has enabled him to gain experience in new technologies such as glass cockpits and the more recent application of Diesel engines to small GA types.

In 2003 together with Ray Clegg, aircraft builder and retired ENT specialist, Nick set off from Netherthorpe near Sheffield to cross the North Atlantic in Ray's home built Kis Cruiser. They were headed for Oshkosh in Wisconsin for the celebrated air show which that year marked the centenary of the Wright's achievement at Kitty Hawk. Having enjoyed the displays over several days they set off back across the water bound for South Yorkshire!

Watch out for Nick barrel rolling Eric Marsh's RV4 around the two Extras whilst they are in mirror formation - and don't try it in your Fiesta!