12-Year-Old Harry Clarke’s Dream Comes True: Behind-the-Scenes Experience as a Skybus Pilot

In an unforgettable experience, 12-year-old Harry Clarke from St Mary’s had the rare opportunity to ride in the cockpit of a Skybus plane, realising a dream he has nurtured for years.

A Passion for Aviation

Harry’s fascination with planes began early. Living under the flight path of St Mary’s Airport and owning a flight simulator in his bedroom, he has always been captivated by the world of aviation. His aspirations are clear: first, to become a military pilot, and eventually, to join the ranks of the Skybus pilots who soar above his home every day.

In 2020, driven by his passion, Harry took the initiative to write a letter to the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group. His request was simple yet ambitious: to see the cockpit of a Skybus plane up close and experience what it’s like to be a pilot. Yesterday, that dream became a reality.

A Day in the Life of a Pilot

Harry’s day began with an exciting flight from St Mary’s to Land’s End in a Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, a freighter plane. Seated in the cockpit next to Chief Pilot Ben Woodward, Harry was given a front-row seat to the intricate world of flying. Upon landing at Land’s End, Harry couldn’t contain his excitement, sharing, “That was so much fun!”

Behind-the-Scenes Tour

The adventure didn’t end there. Harry and his father, Dale, were treated to a private tour of Land’s End Airport, guided by Skybus Operations Manager, Cath Rapsey. The tour provided an insider’s look at the daily operations, including meetings with the airport team and a visit to Air Traffic Control.

Dale expressed his gratitude at the end of the day, saying, “This has been a dream of Harry’s for such a long time. When we get home, he won’t stop talking about it. Thank you so much – it has been amazing to see all the behind-the-scenes of everything that goes on and all the work that happens here.”

Harry’s extraordinary day offered him not only a glimpse into the world of aviation but also fuelled his passion to one day join the ranks of those who make it all happen.