2011 UK Airshows

Airshows >> UK: 20 Questions For......Jonathon Whaley - Miss Demeanour To mark the launch of Jonathon Whaley's new website for Miss Demeanour (Heritage Aviation) we bring you 20 Questions with the man himself. A former Royal Navy pilot, Jonathon flew the likes of Sea Vixen, Hunter and F-4 Phantom in service and is now probably best known as the owner and display pilot of Miss Demeanour - the world's most distinctive Hawker Hunter.

1/ Name? Jonathon Whaley.

2/ Display mount / mounts? Hawker Hunter and Supermarine Spitfire (the regulars).

3/ Day job? Making dimples for mattresses.

4/ How many hours in your log book? 3500+.

5/ On what types? 120+ - if I started to list them I would lose the will to live!

6/ How many years have you been displaying? 41.

7/ What was your first public display? Sea Vixen FAW2 at St Athan in 1970.

8/ All time favourite display venue? Al Ain in Abu Dhabi, followed by Wilson in Nairobi - both in the Hunter.

9/ What's the best thing about being a display pilot? You are kidding aren't you?

10/ And the worst? Being asked what is the best thing about being a display pilot!

11/ Favourite part of your display? The bit between releasing the brakes and putting them back on.

12/ If you could improve one thing about the UK airshow circuit what would it be? The weather.

13/ Other than yourself (obviously), who's your favourite current display pilot? Paul Bonhomme.

14/ Which other act / team would you always stop and watch? Guy Westgate - gliderFX.

15/ Is there a team / aircraft you've never seen displaying which you always wished you had? There was an OV-10 Bronco that displayed in the USA. It was fully aerobatic and then two parachutists dropped out of the back while it was in a vertical climb.

16/ If you could choose anything from any era, which aircraft would you most love to get your hands on? De Havilland Sea Hornet F3

17/ Who inspired you to begin display flying? It's the wrong question for me as nobody inspired me really. Display flying is just a means of being allowed to fly in a manner that is precise, demanding and exhilarating - and you don't often get sent to jail for it. Film flying is even better!

18/ Which airshow has the best grub? Any in France!

19/ Where's the best after show party? Any I don't regret going to.

20/ What one piece advice would you give to anyone who wanted to get in to display flying? Be in the right place, at the right time.

The new Heritage Aviation website includes full details of where you can catch Jonathon displaying, alongside details on the aircraft, Jonathon's career and a new image and video gallery. You can also now find Miss Demeanour on Facebook and Twitter.

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