Flying’s a walk in the park for Callie

Canine co-pilot flies in for day of aviation fun at Scone

One of the UK’s most famous co-pilots touched down at Perth Airport at the weekend.

Pilot Graham Mountford, from Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire, was at the controls as he arrived for a special aviation day at the Scone aerodrome.

Next to him was chocolate labrador Callie, who in 2014 became the first dog to get her own crew card.

Kitted out in her own personalised flight jacket and headset, she has been accompanying her owner on flights all across the UK since she was just 12 weeks old.

Now aged six, the experienced flier has amassed more than 600 hours of flying time and is a popular sight wherever she travels.

Her special crew pass allows her to stroll with captains and crew through all of the UK’s airports.

The thrum of aircraft engines sounded across Perth throughout Saturday as pilots from across the UK descended upon the airfield for the annual Summer Fly-In, organised by operators ACS Aviation.

Predictions of high winds put off some fliers, but there were nonetheless plenty of aircraft touching down.

One of the most unusual was a distinctive Nanchang two-seater aircraft, designed and built in China for use by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force as a basic trainer.

Freedom flights were specially arranged to give people who are recuperating from serious accidents the chance to take to the air.

Visitors also enjoyed guided tours of the hangars, while ACS Aviation also used the weekend to showcase the many improvements it has made to the airport.

Pictures: Phil Hannah. Callie in the cockpit with her owner, pilot Graham Mountford.

Some of the aircraft on show at Scone.