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

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 (February 2026) edition of the magazine.

Why do companies choose to run apprenticeship programmes? We spoke directly to the employers who hire apprentices to explore the real value apprenticeships bring to their businesses, featuring insights from 2Excel Aviation and Marshall ADG.

As next week's biennial Singapore Airshow sets to ready to take-off next week, TIM ROBINSON FRAeS and STEPHEN BRIDGEWATER FRAeS preview the 10th edition of Asia's largest aerospace exhibition at the Changi Exhibition Centre from 3–8 February 2026.