Contact the adviser, Don

Aviation is the lifeblood of global connectivity, knitting together distant corners of the world and impacting the lives of individuals in every nation. It enables businesses to thrive by facilitating international trade, allowing products and services to cross borders with speed and efficiency.

Beyond commerce aviation fosters tourism, allowing millions to experience different cultures and landscapes. For individuals, this means more than just travel, it promotes global understanding, peace and collaboration. When students from developing countries can study abroad or families can reunite across continents, aviation becomes a powerful force for personal growth and global unity.

In times of crisis aviation is a lifeline. It delivers medical supplies, rescue teams and essential aid to areas hit by natural disasters or conflict. The swift movement of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic underscored aviation’s role in saving lives.

Every day aviation affects ordinary people, whether it's through the goods they purchase, the jobs it creates or the connections it fosters. In an increasingly interconnected world aviation is not just an industry, it is a global necessity that shapes economies, societies and individual lives.

My father, a retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and United Airlines Captain ignited my passion for aviation when he taught me to fly at 12 years old. With his guidance, the path to a career in aviation was clear from an early age. After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1981, I embarked on a 29-year journey with the Air Force beginning with pilot training and spanning a diverse range of global flying and staff assignments. A significant chapter of this career included three tours at RAF Lakenheath beginning in 1987.

The decision to pursue an airline career seemed natural, but after a brief stint flying for American Airlines I realized it wasn’t for me. I transitioned to corporate aviation serving as a Hawker and Citation Captain across the Eurasian continent, a role that offered both adventure and professional fulfillment.

In the final phase of my aviation career I made my way to Alaska and Colorado working for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It was a fitting conclusion to a lifelong dedication to aviation, one that began with my father and took me around the world.

Welcome to the u3a Aviation Page, where we aim to fuel your passion for aviation and expand your knowledge of the fascinating world of flight. Our goal is to bring together like-minded individuals fostering a vibrant community eager to learn, discuss and share all things aviation-related. The National u3a Flight Inspirations Aviation Group meets monthly via Zoom, offering engaging presentations from guest speakers and members alike, covering a wide range of topics. Whether you're an enthusiast or a seasoned expert, this is the perfect place to connect with fellow aviation lovers because here, the sky is the limit!

Join us for the monthly aviation talks on a Tuesday - Register here 

A list of some of the talks from previous years : 

• Flight Inspirations Aviation Meeting: RAF Special Duties Service
• Flight Inspirations Aviation Meeting: WWI Aviation
• Don Mobley:  Supersonic Air Transport, Past and Future
• Andy Strange:  Final Days of RAF in WW2
• Guy Thomas:  London Colney Airfield WW1
• Don Mobley:  Boeing 737 Max 8
• Martin Hull:  Airships
• Andy Strange:  Apollo 11
• Don Mobley:  Apollo  13
• Captain John Hutchinson:  Concorde 13
• Terrance Peter:  Seafire