Pilot clocks up 11,000 flying hours in replica WW1 German aircraft

AVIATION: Russell takes break from air ambulance role to reach his milestone

An air ambulance pilot has recorded his 11,000th flying hour – while sitting at the controls of a replica First World War German aircraft.

Captain Russell Myles marked the milestone during a maintenance check flight in his beloved remake of a Fokker Eindecker.

Russell’s day job is as senior pilot with Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).

The 56-year-old from Wolfhill in Perthshire has nearly 40 years’ experience as a fixed-wing and rotary pilot in a variety of roles and aircraft.

Winning a flying scholarship from the Royal Air Force helped Russell attain his private pilot’s licence at the age of 17, so he could fly before he could drive.

A career with both the RAF and civilian/commercial operations has put Russell at the controls of a variety of aircraft.

These range from smaller Fokker F27

“Reaching my 11,000th flying hour while circling above my Perthshire home in the Fokker was a special moment.

RUSSELL MYLES

passenger turboprops to Boeing 767 jet liners carrying 300-plus passengers, Squirrel, Jet Ranger and Wessex helicopters in both military support and search and rescue roles.

Now a highly-respected pilot with Babcock, Russell has headed up flight operations at SCAA’S Perth Airport base since it launched seven years ago, initially flying the charity’s Bolkow 105 helicopter and then its upgraded EC 135 air ambulance.

Despite his crucial rotary role, Russell loves his character Fokker aircraft which he hangars at Perth alongside his two-seater RV6 touring aircraft.

He said: “Reaching my 11,000th flying hour while circling above my Perthshire home in the Fokker was a special moment.

“I’ve owned the Fokker replica for five years and it doesn’t fly far and it doesn’t fly fast but I absolutely love her.”

With recreational aircraft restricted by Covid-19, pilots have been only taking to the air to maintain engine health and record official maintenance test flights.

On a busy day at SCAA, Russell can record up to six hours piloting the air ambulance to and from any part of the country.

“Every 1,000 hours is a special moment for flyers. It’s now onwards to 12,000,” he said.

Russell celebrates his achievement at the controls of the replica First World War Fokker aircraft.