A Brief CV for Gary Masters

Fordaire Aviation

From 1996 to 2000 I worked for Fordaire Aviation, A CAA (M3) approved maintenance company.  During that time I was involved with the restoration of vintage aircraft including Tiger Moths, Austers, a DH Dominie as well as the routine maintenance of many “conventional”  light aircraft (Cessnas, Pipers, Robins).

De Havilland Dragon Rapide DH89A

Flylight Airsports Ltd

In 2000 I was approached to work for Flylight Airsports Ltd at Sywell, where I gained extensive & valuable experience working under the command of Microlight Guru and multi timeWorld Champion Paul Dewhurst, and  highly-talented Aircraft Designer Ben Ashman!

I was  appointed to the role of ‘Doodle Bug’ engineer to manufacture & assemble components into, what is the most popular ‘foot launched’ machine ever created. I personally constructed more than 120 of these machines which were delivered worldwide.

The SkyRanger

Flylight began importing the Skyranger (a kit-built 3-axis microlight aircraft), so I was regularly called upon to assist with load testing various components of the airframe to comply with the BCAR Section S certification process. Assisting with building the original UK Skyranger & seeing the build through to flight testing was very exciting, as was building a few demonstrator aircraft, Including the frequently photographed

G-UPHI

 

Once completed, I was head of kit processing and distribution. I also manned the famous “Skyranger build support telephone hotline” - and was on hand to offer help and guidance to kit builders, and trying to keep my customers on the correct path was quite a task but was very rewarding. 
Appointed Engineering Manager, I also became responsible for the maintenance & servicing of the Flylight Flying School fleet including three Cosmik EV-97 Eurostars, Cyclone AX3 & 2000 fixed wing machines, two Pegasus Quantum and Air Creation flexwings, various Skyranger aircraft,  a twin-engine Lazair. Many of the thirty or so other customer-owned aircraft hangared at Flylight Airsports also required maintenance & repairs, for which again I was responsible.
I became a BMAA Inspector in September 2001 carrying out approximately 35 permit to fly inspections a year.

With all the valuable knowledge gained with the Skyranger I am often asked to carry out kit-build stage inspections,
Permit renewal Inspections and  general maintenance/servicing right through to stripdown & recover with the latest Xlam material.

Airmasters

In February 2007 I decided to try to earn my own living by offering a mobile service to microlight aircraft owners, with the “don’t worry about the weather, I’ll come to you” approach and formed Airmasters as a result.

Specialising in the Flight Design CT2k & CTSW aircraft,

I have travelled to most parts of the country, servicing Rotax engines & gearboxes, carrying out various Service Bulletins for both airframe & engine, completing insurance repairs and recovering aircraft from home & foreign shores. There are not many areas of the CT that I have not investigated and serviced. Fitting the latest Glass flight instrument, radio, transponder, GPS and now the Junkers Pro-fly Ballistic Parachute system seems to be a popular pastime.

I have fitted numerous radio, transponder & GPS installations and completed the associated modification paperwork. I continue to carry out Permit to Fly inspections on many different types of aircraft and enjoy a reputation as a safe, fair and realistic BMAA and LAA Inspector. I spend a lot of time working with Flight Design CT2K & CTSW aircraft and have a regular commitment to the UK distributor.

We all know that time constraints for pilots and fickle weather conditions can make aircraft servicing flights difficult to achieve so I  offer a bespoke & totally mobile service to the microlight and VLA community. This eliminates the need to wait for that elusive “good weather window” or make difficult fly/no fly decisions. I have a fully equipped mobile workshop and the majority of jobs can be carried out at your aircraft’s home airfield.
Remember – I come to you – not the other way around!

Who do I work for now?

All my Girls pictured at the Cancer Resesarch "Race for Life" - Silverstone June 2010

Melanie  (Boss)            Christine                     Holly