Goodwood Aerodrome appoints new manager

Aviation has been in Dave Ford’s blood from a young age, with both his grandfathers enjoying careers in the RAF.

That led to Mr Ford starting out in aviation at the Royal Naval Aircraft Yard at Fleetlands where, after two stints at the yard, he moved from a background as a technician through to senior management.

He subsequently led a number of large military and commercial aviation projects in a career that has taken him around the world.

Mr Ford brings this wealth of experience, innovation and energy to a business where the year ahead promises to be busy with a huge number of activities at Goodwood Aerodrome, in Chichester.

It has become a centre for learning to fly with both Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) and Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence (LAPL) courses available in addition to flight experiences that include helicopter pleasure flights and the forthcoming Spitfire experience, where people will have the chance to fly alongside a Spitfire on one of four routes.

There will also be the Festival of Speed aviation exhibition in June and Freddie March Spirit of Aviation exhibition at the Goodwood Revival in September.

Mr Ford said: ‘Having worked so hard getting to this point in my career, I can honestly say that there is nowhere I would rather have landed than Goodwood.

‘The role is the leadership position I have been working towards since completing my apprenticeship.’