A flying group is formed!

A group of enthusiastic young men with no experience in flying, but a love for this skill, led the formation of the Barbados Light Aeroplane Club 55 years ago.

Among them was the late Errol Barrow, a navigator who trained with the Royal Air Force and later became premier of Barbados.  He was this country's first Prime Minister when it gained Independence from Britain on November 30, 1966.

Other members of the group included Dr. Arnott Cato, now Sir Arnott Cato, a former President of the Senate; Stanton Toppin, who was later an instructor and Jack Skinner a founder member.  Gordon Butcher, recalled: At that time there was a club, but it was so exclusive, so a number of us felt that we should form a club which would be for everyone.  We held our meetings at Goddard's Restaurant Broad Street, before we got our Club House at the old Seawell Airport, Christ Church.

Records show that the Club was launched in August 1951.

Mr. Butcher said that in the 1950s the airport was not paved, but was just a grass strip left by the Military after the war, in stark contrast to today's modern tarmac at the Grantley Adams International Airport.

According to the founding member, the only aircraft which came to Barbados was that of the Dutch Airline KLM, a Dakota DC3 which seated between 14 to 20 passengers.

In May 1952, the Club got its first aircraft an Auster Autocrat, a three seater from England.  It was named Miss Bim, and was assembled by Ross Mackenzie, Trans Canada Airlines Resident engineer.

The Club then began flying lessons.  Instructors included Dennis Malone, now Sir Dennis Malone, Chief Justice of Honduras; Club member Stanton Toppin, who later became Chief Instructor and David Henderson.

First Barbadian!

Gordon Butcher was the first Barbadian to receive a Private Pilot's License.

First Woman to Fly!

History was also created when the Club gave Barbados its first female pilot.  Joyce Johnson, now Mrs. Joyce Straker, wife of Emile Straker of the Merrymen.

In addition, the Club also turned out seven solo flyers in one year, among them was Neville Gotch Atwell, who went on to the Royal Canadian Air Force where he flew Fighters.

On returning home, he became an instructor at the Club and his students included the late Prime Minister Errol Barrow and the former Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Lenore Harney.

Flying lessens were halted after Hurricane Janet struck Barbados on September 22, 1955, and the roof of the hangar fell and damaged the wing of the Club's only aircraft.

However, five years later, in August, 1960, the Club bought a Cessna 140, a two seater and flying lessons resumed.