In the latest podcast in the series from the Royal Aeronautical Society's monthly AEROSPACE magazine, Editor in Chief Tim Robinson, Deputy Editor Stephen Bridgewater and Features Editor Dominic Ward analyse recent aviation, aerospace and space news - and preview the newest (June 2026) edition of the magazine.

From a childhood obsession with flying, Sir John Allison built a remarkable RAF career spanning 1961 to 1999, rising from pilot cadet to Commander-in-Chief of Strike Command. Throughout his interview, Sir John reflects on flying many of the 116 aircraft types recorded in his logbook. He explores his early career flying Lightnings, working with the US Air Force operating the Phantom II and serving as an instructor, before giving a flavour of the roles and responsibilities he undertook as he moved up the ranks of the Royal Air Force. John’s determination, professionalism, and enduring passion for flying emerge as defining features of both his career and leadership.

Determined from an early age to become a pilot, he joined the Air Training Corps as a schoolboy, learned to glide, flew light aircraft independently, and earned a scholarship to RAF Cranwell, graduating in 1964 as best pilot in his entry and winner of the aerobatics prize.

He trained on the English Electric Lightning before serving on No. 5 Squadron at RAF Binbrook and later becoming an instructor at RAF Coltishall. An exchange posting with the US Air Force in Arizona during the Vietnam era led to his conversion to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, which he describes as “the airplane of my life” because of its versatility and capability. Returning to the UK as a Squadron Leader, he commanded Phantom training at RAF Coningsby Operational Conversion Unit.

Increasingly aware that advancement required more than operational flying alone, he developed a career strategy that combined flying, instruction, and senior staff appointments. After Staff College, he progressed through a series of demanding but rewarding Cold War appointments including Station Commander at RAF Wildenrath, Director of Air Force Plans and Programmes, Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Operational Requirements), and Air Officer Commanding No. 11 Group, responsible for UK air defence - “the best part of my career.” Despite his senior rank, he continued extensive operational flying, believing it was an essential part of leadership, and gained a combat rating on the Tornado.

He later became Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Strike Command, Commander-in-Chief of Logistics Command, and finally Commander-in-Chief of Strike Command in 1997 before retirement in 1999 - fulfilling the ambition of the boy who had once dreamed of flying aeroplanes.

While commanding No. 11 Group, he took the opportunity to fly with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight pursuing a lifelong passion for vintage aircraft. Alongside his RAF career, he developed a distinguished display flying career, including flying for the Shuttleworth Collection and The Fighter Collection at Duxford.

Throughout his interview, Sir John gives a vivid picture of flying many of the 116 aircraft in his logbook including the Lightning, Gnat, Hunter, Hawk, Phantom, Tornado, and range of vintage types including the Lancaster. He also retells the story of a particularly difficult Lightning landing at Le Bourget following what he candidly calls a “self-done” mistake.

Summing up his career, Sir John reflects on flying as both a profession and an art form. He speaks openly about carrying “a sliver of fear” into the cockpit, the importance of discipline and skill, and his belief that digitisation has diminished the artistry of modern flying. He describes aviation as “a great leveller,” where only ability matters, and advises aspiring pilots to pursue flying only for the genuine love of it.

ACM Sir John Allison KCB CBE was interviewed by Sir George Cox CRAeS as part of the Royal Aeronautical Society/National Aerospace Library’s oral history project ‘If I only didn’t do it that way…….” Capturing history from the horse’s mouth' to inspire today’s aeronautical professionals. The recording was edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.

A transcript of the interview recording is available on the National Aerospace Library catalogue: ACM Sir John Allison oral history interview | National Aerospace Library

Photo: Sir John Allison aged 23, first tour Lightning pilot on No 5 Squadron, RAF Binbrook

In this special episode of AEROSPACE NOTAM podcast, Editor in Chief Tim Robinson FRAeS chats to new Royal Aeronautical Society President 2026-27, Professor Malcolm Macdonald FRAeS about his upcoming Presidential themes, why space is so important to us all - plus he picks his favourite science fiction film.

In this special episode of AEROSPACE NOTAM podcast, Editor in Chief Tim Robinson FRAeS chats to Royal Aeronautical Society President 2025-26, Dr Alisdair Wood FRAeS about his Presidential year, his favourite moments and why he is passionate about the 'art' of aeronautics. www.aerosociety.com

In the latest podcast in the series from the Royal Aeronautical Society's monthly AEROSPACE magazine, Editor in Chief Tim Robinson, Deputy Editor Stephen Bridgewater and Features Editor Dominic Ward analyse recent aviation, aerospace and space news - and preview the newest (May 2026) edition of the magazine.

In the second part of his interview, John Baker, shares how a balloon meet sparked his lifelong passion for ballooning and all lighter-than-air flight. 

As a dedicated collector of balloon and airship related books and memorabilia, he has a remarkable collection of LP covers and 14 to 15 bookcases devoted to balloons and airships. He serves as an archivist for the British Balloon Museum and Library and the British Balloon and Airship Club, and is frequently consulted on obscure ballooning topics. His enthusiasm has also taken him around the world as part of balloon ground crews and promotional teams for BOAC and later British Airways. 

Alongside this, John spent decades supporting air traffic control at the Farnborough Airshow (1986–2012). John describes memorable moments - from precision jet displays by French Air Force Alpha Jets to the sheer force of an Antonov’s jet blast sending tables, chairs, and a marquee tumbling across the runway.

John also recalls experiences with airships and coordinating balloon operations during the Farnborough Air Show. On one occasion, he flew in a small two-man airship from White Waltham to assist the police with traffic surveillance. On another occasion, he coordinated the early arrival of several balloons before the airfield officially opened which he recalls as his “good deed for the day”. 

Reflecting on his long career in air traffic control, he highlights the importance of passion in air traffic control and fondly remembers the camaraderie of colleagues. “It was a joy to go to work every day,” he says, “because you never knew what was going to happen - and you were with friends.”

John Baker was interviewed by Dr Kit Mitchell FRAeS as part of the Royal Aeronautical Society/National Aerospace Library’s oral history project ‘If I only didn’t do it that way…….” Capturing history from the horse’s mouth to inspire today’s aeronautical professionals. The recording was edited by edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.

A transcript of the interview recording is available on the National Aerospace Library catalogue: https://raes.soutron.net/Portal/Default/en-GB/RecordView/Index/4193180

Photo: John Baker flying his radio controlled model inside the Eisteddford Building at Llangollen.

In the latest podcast in the series from the Royal Aeronautical Society's monthly AEROSPACE magazine, Editor in Chief Tim Robinson, Deputy Editor Stephen Bridgewater and Features Editor Dominic Ward analyse recent aviation, aerospace and space news - and preview the newest (April 2026) edition of the magazine. Plus we talk to Seth Moffat, Chair of the RAeS Flight Operations Group on the impact of the Iran war on civil aviation

From filling in paper slips at West Drayton to the high tech world at Swanwick, John Baker reflects on a four-decades managing the skies above Britain. From explaining how he got a job at West Drayton and his initial training, to life at Swanwick, he explores the demanding lifestyle, challenges and fun he had along the way.

Leaving school with four ‘O’ Levels, the minimum entry requirement at the time, John joined London Air Traffic Control Centre (LATCC) at West Drayton near Heathrow as an Air Traffic Control Assistant (ATCA) at just 17¾ years old, gaining valuable operational experience.

Shift work began on a repeating four-day cycle and when the shift system became even more complicated in 1973, John recalls his mother-in-law keeping a wall chart to track family members’ shifts to determine who would be home for meals.

His four years’ practical experience, together with gaining a Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL), was accepted as equivalent to A-level qualifications and enabled John to meet the entry requirements to train as an Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO). He began the three-year ATCO training programme in 1974.

The three-year training course was intensive and wide-ranging, starting with visits to operational airfields at Guernsey and Bournemouth (Hurn) airports so trainees could speak directly with working pilots rather than rely solely on simulators. Tower training involved learning runway operations and local procedures. Specialist training in area, radar and approach control took place at other centres, including the LATCC, RAF Watton, and Prestwick Airport. At Prestwick, he recalls handling a Concorde, a Boeing 707, and a Piper Cherokee in the circuit at the same time.

After qualifying, John avoided a posting to Sumburgh in the Shetland Islands by claiming to have a fiancée, and he remained at West Drayton for most of his career. When the centre closed, operations moved to Swanwick near Southampton, where he continued until retiring in 2010.

John provides detailed insight into the realities of ATC work such as managing flight progress strips, using precise ATC shorthand and IATC codes to avoid misunderstandings, and maintaining strict communication discipline. He recalls incidents that illustrate the responsibility of the role, including questioning a pilot after fuel vapour was seen trailing from an aircraft and following an instinct to check on another pilot - an intervention he describes as his ‘good deed of the day’.

He emphasises the importance of teamwork in sharing responsibility and contrasts ATC’s intense but contained shift work, where you can leave the job behind at the end of a shift with the ongoing pressures of modern office work where it can be difficult to avoid emails.

Over his career, John witnessed major technological change as paper-based processes gradually gave way to electronic systems. Early on, a “Minicap” computer printed paper flight strips, but it was still switched off weekly so controllers could maintain their skills in writing strips by hand. It was later replaced by the more advanced IBM 9020 system. He also describes the introduction of transponders, which greatly improved flight planning and tracking.

Although he enjoyed earning his PPL, John realised he preferred the slower pace of ballooning to piloting powered aircraft. Part 2 of John’s interview will talk about his involvement with the British Balloon and Airship Club and the British Balloon Museum and Library. He also tells stories about his time working in ATC for the Farnborough Air Show.

John Baker was interviewed by Dr Kit Mitchell FRAeS as part of the Royal Aeronautical Society/National Aerospace Library’s oral history project ‘If I only didn’t do it that way…….” Capturing history from the horse’s mouth to inspire today’s aeronautical professionals. The recording was edited by edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.

A transcript of the interview recording is available on the National Aerospace Library catalogue: John Baker oral history interview | National Aerospace Library

In the latest podcast in the series from the Royal Aeronautical Society's monthly AEROSPACE magazine, Editor in Chief Tim Robinson and Features Editor Dominic Ward analyse recent aviation, aerospace and space news - and preview the newest (March 2026) edition of the magazine, as well as looking at the military and commercial aviation implications of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Helicopter man Roger Cansdale CEng FRAeS reflects on a remarkable four-decade career in aerospace and weapons development with the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) and QinetiQ. From helicopter programmes and advancing flight safety to contributing to cutting-edge weapons systems, Roger shares his insights on the innovations, challenges, and his lasting impact on UK aviation and defence.

Roger Cansdale CEng FRAeS was interviewed by Dr Kit Mitchell FRAeS as part of the Royal Aeronautical Society/National Aerospace Library’s oral history project  ‘If I only didn’t do it that way…….” Capturing history from the horse’s mouth to inspire today’s aeronautical professionals. The recording was edited by Eur Ing Mike Stanberry FRAeS.

A transcript of the interview recording is available on the National Aerospace Library catalogue: Roger Cansdale oral history interview | National Aerospace Library