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Classic Jet Operator's Association - Martin Slater
Born in Yorkshire, Martin left school at 15 to start work as an apprentice aircraft maintenance engineer at Yorkshire Light Aircraft Ltd at Leeds Bradford Airport. Six months later in October 1963 he took his first flight in an Auster Autocrat G-AJRE. Almost 40 years later to the day he bought this aircraft and now flies it regularly from Coventry.
As a 25 year old LAE he left YLA for Bristow Helicopters at Redhill but before he could sit his helicopter licence exams he was sent to Nigeria as Chief Engineer of their BN 2 Islander operation in Lagos. After 2 years in Africa, which he passionately loves, the call of the chopper took him back to Redhill, and then to Abu Dhabi where he could gain rapid experience for the Bell 206 and 212 licences. Seconded to Gulf Helicopters he worked in Abu Dhabi, and Qatar. This was followed by a spell on the North Sea oil-rigs in the summer of 1978 before he left Bristows to return to the sunshine in Dubai with Aerogulf Services as Engineering Manager. Eight years in Dubai helping to get the company British CAA approved for almost everything you could do to a Bell 206, 212, and MBB 105 was a challenge enjoyably met. During this time he obtained his US FAA single and multi CPL/IR at Fort Worth, Texas. In Dubai he also did the flight trials for using Mogas on Cessna 150 and Piper Cherokee aircraft and gained substantial experience in flying in ambient temperatures well over 400C.
New challenges were sought when in 1986, whilst doing a Flying Instructer Course at G&B Aviation, Coventry, he fell under the spell of Air Atlantique and their ubiquitous DC 3 aircraft. Martin was offered the Engineering Managers job, and with three DC 3's, a Cessna 310 and no facilities except an empty hangar, he jumped at the chance to get covered in oil.
Twenty one years on and he looks back on a varied experience which started with 3 months in Detroit in winter getting the first DC 6 ready to go on the UK register, followed by assisting in modifying the DC 3 for pollution spraying, then co-piloting it back across the Atlantic in 33 flying hours and five days. In addition he spent four years as MD of CFS Aeroengines Ltd, Malta, overhauling Pratt & Whitney engines and DC 3 propellers before bringing the company to Coventry as CFS Aeroproducts Ltd. He also was a Director of Air Caernarfon to develop Caernarfon airfield and starting Caernarfon Aircraft Maintenance Co Ltd.
Martin has flying in his blood and reckons it is because his Mother worked at the Avro factory at Yeadon during World War 2, building Lancasters and Ansons, and his desire came through the titty as it were. It was Martin's enthusiasm for historic aviation that encouraged Mike Collett, Chairman of Air Atlantique to start the historic flight by allowing Martin to rebuild the Percival Prentice which had languished at the gates of Coventry Airport for years. Since then Martin has been involved in all Air Atlantiques classic aircraft in one way or another. Buying the Twin Pioneer with a suitcase full of cash was a fond memory!
Martin has over 2,500hrs flying a variety of aeroplanes, a gliding licence and is a tug pilot. He also has an AMEL on most types from the Electra and DC 6 downwards. He is a PFA inspector and presently is Technical Director and Continuing Airworthiness Manager of Air Atlantiques Classic Flight and MD of CFS Aeroproducts Ltd where his son James is General Manager.
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