Meet our team of flying instructors and staff
Kevin Whitehead
Chief Flying Instructor
Kevin realised his passion for flying in 2006 when he took a 90 minute experience flight from Perth Airport in a flexwing microlight. Of that experience he says, “It was just superb! My friend and I had spoken about the possibility of learning to fly while we were at work, 100 miles offshore on an oil rig. When we came home on leave, we gave it a go and I’ve never looked back. I gained my National Private Pilot’s License (NPPL) that year and bought a share in a flexwing microlight. I flew her far and wide and had some great times especially when visiting the West Coast of Scotland. Now I get to share my passion for flying with others.”
Two years later Kevin had the opportunity to experience a flight in a Gyrocopter and decided to take up the training for his PPL(G) and went on to join the Gyrocopter Experience group of flying instructors and currently operates Scotland’s premier gyroplane training organisation. Kevin also added the Flexwing and Fixed Wing instructor ratings to his portfolio and is fully qualified to offer flight training and experience flights in our range of aircraft.
Elaine Whitehead
Office and Co-Owner (aka The Boss!)
Elaine shares a passion for flight and loves introducing people to the joy of flying whether it be for a single flight experience or for sustained pilot training as they go on to gain a professional license.
Elaine manages the instructors’ diaries and coordinates the bookings of all flights and will be happy to have a chat with you and answer any questions you might have. You can contact Elaine on 07708302803 or via email at info@alba-airsports.co.uk.
Richard Osborne
Instructor
Richard started flying in 1968 with the Air Training Corps. A gliding instructor for many of his early years, he soon took up the offer of a commercial helicopter course with British Airways. Richard further qualified for a fixed wing PPL during the same period and became the proud owner of a Luscombe Silvaire tail-dragger in 1990.
Having worked on the North Sea as a helicopter pilot for over 40 years, accumulating some 30,000 hours in the air, he took up Gyrocopter flying in 2012 and became a fully qualified instructor in 2018. Following his retirement from the North Sea, he now flies as part of the Alba Airsports flying instructors team.
If you would like to speak to any of our team, please visit our Contact Form or email us on info@alba-airsports.co.uk