Gulfstream650 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2008, 489 posts, RR: 0 Posted (4 years 5 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 4972 times:
I've read that Mr Walsh was a pilot with Aer Lingus and joined their cadet scheme when he was 17 but I have some questions:
- What aircraft did he fly?
- How long did he fly with Aer Lingus and did he fly with any other airline?
- Does he still fly today and is their any chance of seeing him fly a BA plane? (prob too busy)
- Does he fly himself privately in general aviation?
Are there any other Airline CEO's that were ex pilots?
I don't proclaim to be the best pilot in the world but I'm safe
Simairlinenet From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 813 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (4 years 5 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 4918 times:
I don't know the answers regarding Willie Walsh, but I can think of a few other current pilot CEOs.
-Gordon Bethune, Continental: had an ATP and I believe flew the first delivered 767-400ER?
-Gerard Arpey, American: PPL at least
Also of interest: King Hussein of Jordan flew for Royal Jordanian.
Bramble From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (4 years 5 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 4907 times:
Quoting Gulfstream650 (Thread starter): - What aircraft did he fly?
- How long did he fly with Aer Lingus and did he fly with any other airline?
- Does he still fly today and is their any chance of seeing him fly a BA plane? (prob too busy)
- Does he fly himself privately in general aviation?
Think it was B737, he rose to captain so probaly 10-15 years.
No flying at moment....stopped when he became flight ops mangment
No.
Kaitak From Ireland, joined Aug 1999, 11952 posts, RR: 37 Reply 3, posted (4 years 5 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 4856 times:
As far as I'm aware, it was just 737s; I recall, before he became CEO, there was an EI billboard ad showing a 737 and naming the pilot as Capt. William Walsh!
He was quite young when he became a captain too; 29, I think.
EICVD From Ireland, joined Mar 2008, 2068 posts, RR: 5 Reply 7, posted (4 years 5 months 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 4494 times:
There is actually an article in tonights evening herald regarding the possible merger of BA & QF (only in the paper because both airlines CEO's are Dubliners). Has a small bit of info which says he joined Aer Lingus as a cadet pilot in 1978 & was made a captain in 1990.
Dublin, where Sam Maguire will be coming home to in mid September
Twa902fly From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 3048 posts, RR: 4 Reply 8, posted (4 years 5 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 4379 times:
Wasnt the CEO of TWA at one point also an acting pilot, flying every once in awhile?
Can someone confirm that?
'902
life wasn't worth the balance, or the crumpled paper it was written on
Chapavaeaa From United States of America, joined Aug 2008, 144 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (4 years 5 months 2 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 4143 times:
Gerard Arpey has (at least a year ago or so) a couple of private planes in a hangar near mine...a light single and a light twin. He used to get out on a regular basis and shoot touch and go's on the weekends.
DeltAirlines From United States of America, joined May 1999, 8771 posts, RR: 13 Reply 11, posted (4 years 5 months 2 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 4098 times:
Quoting Twa902fly (Reply 8): Wasnt the CEO of TWA at one point also an acting pilot, flying every once in awhile?
Yes - I forget his name (was CEO in the late '90s) but he was an MD-80 Captain - I think he did one flight a month (one take-off/landing) to keep current.
Robffm2 From Germany, joined Dec 2006, 1094 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (4 years 5 months 2 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 3868 times:
The CEO of TAM David Barioni Neto is an active pilot.
I believe it was written into his contract that he would pilot some scheduled flights from time to time.
Actually he did the delivery flight of one of TAM's new 777 from Seattle to Sao Paulo. On TAM's inflight IFE there is a nice video of this, and here is the link to youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUFsFmmqvMY
[i]O Presidente da TAM, Comandante David Barioni Neto, volta para o Brasil pilotando o primeiro Boeing 777-300 ER retirado direto da fábrica da Boeing em Seattle/USA.[/]
SAAB900 From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2007, 479 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (4 years 5 months 2 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 3824 times:
Quoting Simairlinenet (Reply 1): Also of interest: King Hussein of Jordan flew for Royal Jordanian.
His father the late King Hussein also flew the Jordanian Royal Flight Tristar that was in basic Royal Jordanian livery.
There is also an aviation connection with the late Kings wife Queen Noor. She was born Lisa Halaby, an American who's father was the former CEO of Pan-Am. She was an Architect who met the late king while designing Amman International Airport!
How could I forget the great Mr Lauda, being both an aviation & F1 fan that I am! I think he was also qualified on the B777 as well! Now he has changed to Airbus & is both qualified on the A320/1! I believe that he still takes charge of some flights like he did with Lauda Air to keep his ratings current!
Dano1977 From British Indian Ocean Territory, joined Jun 2008, 404 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (4 years 5 months 2 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 3499 times:
Didn't Richard Branson hold some sort of Commercial licence?
I'm sure i heard somewhere he took time to fly one of his 747's from time to time, or was that more spin from the Virgin publicity dept?
Children should only be allowed on aircraft if 1. Muzzled and heavily sedated 2. Go as freight
Kaitak From Ireland, joined Aug 1999, 11952 posts, RR: 37 Reply 18, posted (4 years 5 months 2 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 3484 times:
Quoting Dano1977 (Reply 17): Didn't Richard Branson hold some sort of Commercial licence?
No, he never did.
Quoting Simairlinenet (Reply 1): Also of interest: King Hussein of Jordan flew for Royal Jordanian.
He may have flown their aircraft, or aircraft in their livery (such as the L1011), but he was never actually a line pilot for RJ.
His widow, Lisa, was a daughter of the late Najeeb Halaby, a former FAA administrator and senior PA executive; he was a pilot and was qualified on the 747, among other types.
Gulfstream650 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2008, 489 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (4 years 5 months 2 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 3312 times:
Quoting Robffm2 (Reply 12): Actually he did the delivery flight of one of TAM's new 777 from Seattle to Sao Paulo. On TAM's inflight IFE there is a nice video of this, and here is the link to youtube
Fantastic video, thanks for posting. Must be nice for airlines to have top brass that the other employees can relate to.
I don't proclaim to be the best pilot in the world but I'm safe
IFlyATA From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 236 posts, RR: 3 Reply 20, posted (4 years 5 months 2 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 3220 times:
George Mikelsons, ATA's founder and CEO for a number of years, was a pilot for Voyager 1000 (a travel club) and routinely flew ATA flights in the early days. He also flew troops home at the end of the first Gulf War, being the first airplane to land back on U.S. soil bringing troops back from the Gulf...landed the L1011 in BGR.
Chapavaeaa From United States of America, joined Aug 2008, 144 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (4 years 5 months 2 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 3187 times:
Type-Rated From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 4348 posts, RR: 20 Reply 22, posted (4 years 5 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 3095 times:
Quoting Twa902fly (Reply 8): Wasnt the CEO of TWA at one point also an acting pilot, flying every once in awhile?
Can someone confirm that?
When Howard Hughes ran TWA he'd pop in now and then and fly a Constellation flight now and then. He always wanted a grilled cheese sandwich and glass of milk ready before each flight, but he never ate any of them!
Fly North Central Airlines..The route of the Northliners!
MCOflyer From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 8553 posts, RR: 14 Reply 23, posted (4 years 5 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 3090 times:
The CEO of Cape air is current on the 402 in the left seat.
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From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2008, 489 posts, 
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I think he was also qualified on the B777 as well! Now he has changed to Airbus & is both qualified on the A320/1! I believe that he still takes charge of some flights like he did with Lauda Air to keep his ratings current!
From British Indian Ocean Territory, joined Jun 2008, 404 posts, 
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