Major award for Pete White Cornwall Flying Club stalwart Pete White has been recognised by the Royal Aeronautical Society for his untiring commitment to educating and enthusing young people about general aviation, and his unique efforts to introduce the disabled and the disadvantaged to flying. In the 2020 annual awards of the RAeS Pete has been given an Individual Specialist Award which recognises the huge volume of work he has put in down the years to bring aviation to those who would otherwise be unable to participate.

Cornwall Flying Club stalwart Pete White has been recognised by the Royal Aeronautical Society for his untiring commitment to educating
and enthusing young people about general aviation, and his unique efforts to introduce the disabled and the disadvantaged to flying.

In the 2020 annual awards of the RAeS Pete has been given an Individual Specialist Award which recognises the huge volume of work he has put in down the years to bring aviation to those who would otherwise be unable to participate. The citation speaks of his passion for spreading the word about flying and lists some of the organisations through which he contributes to the betterment of GA.

Describing him as ‘Director and Bodmin Airfield Events Organiser, Cornwall Flying Club,’ the citation reads: “Mr White receives an individual Specialist Award for using his expertise in aviation and his outgoing personality to educate and enthuse thousands of people of all ages over many years. He spends many hours of his own time and money visiting clubs and groups around the UK to undertake these tasks. As Bodmin Airfield Events Organiser he works tirelessly to make flying available to everyone. Mr White founded a charity, Feet Off the Ground, (with John Colgate) which gives disabled and disadvantaged young people the opportunity to enjoy the thrill of flying. The Scout Aerocamp was a concept that he pioneered and this has enabled hundreds of young people over the years to fly and to gain their aviation badges. Schools, colleges and many organisations catering for the disabled are especially grateful to him for his efforts to get them all airborne. As a Director of Cornwall Flying Club, he organises half a dozen major fly-ins each year,
supporting groups like Help4Heroes with his Military Wings and Wheels Day.

“Mr White’s childhood passion and love of aviation led him to attaining his PPL and it was evident that he wanted to share this passion. His aviation career was in avionics, developing ‘blind landing systems’. He then split from aviation until he moved to the South West where, in 1985, he gained his Private Pilot’s Licence at Bodmin airfield. In 1991 he bought an Aeronca aircraft which he still operates as a syndicate with five other members. He formed ‘The Aeronca Club’, which became a Light Aircraft Association Type Club and that is still going strong under his leadership. Mr White is a committee member of the organisation Youth Education Support.” Club Chairman Pat Malone said: “The Royal Aeronautical Society is one of the most prestigious aviation organisations in the world and they do not give awards lightly. We who benefit from Pete’s passion are well aware of how much he puts into Cornwall Flying Club and the whole field of general aviation, and it’s wonderful to see his efforts rewarded like this. As a club Director and member he works tirelessly for the common good, and Bodmin Airfield would be a very much poorer place without him. We all join in congratulating him on this richly-deserved recognition.”