On leaving grammar school in 1973, Mike joined NATS (as it was to become) as a trainee Air Traffic Control Officer. On graduation, he worked for NATS for 44 years as an ATCO at places diverse as Sumburgh (Shetland Isles), Glasgow, Manchester, London Heathrow and also, the area control unit at Swanwick. A pilots licence for light aircraft came with the job and in 1990, Mike decided to try out hot air ballooning.
He has a current PPL for both Airplanes and Balloons and is on the main committee of the British Balloon and Airship Club (BBAC). Mike flies a Czech Airworks Sportcruiser to get from A to B, but if he fancies floating around, he uses his Cameron Z-90.
On the CHIRP GAAB panel, Mike represents ballooning but also contributes his knowledge of fixed wing and Air Traffic Control to the debate.