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“I had to pinch myself”
Chief Pilot of the Heritage Flight, Alistair "Steg" Williams describes the privilege and importance of flying our historic aircraft.
Looking to the skies last week, the people of Lincolnshire, UK would have been treated to the unique formation of a Spitfire, a Mustang and a Messerschmidt 262 – one of the earliest jets – heading to RAF Coningsby and the home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. In the cockpit of the Mustang sat Alistair Williams or “Steg” as he’s more commonly known.
“I had to pinch myself,” he told me from the GorWay hangar at East Midlands Airport. “It was quite remarkable. There’s only one flying example of an ME262 – they were fast and could out-run most other aircraft by a considerable margin. The only thing that could come close to catching it was the twin Merlin engine powered Mosquito.”
Today, the Heritage flight plays a much more sedate – but constructive role.
“We as a company have operated a Spitfire since 1948 as a demonstration of our innovation and superior technology. The link to this iconic aircraft is through the GorWay Merlin and Griffon engines that powered them,” Steg explains. “Supercharger technology significantly improved piston engines of the age and this then carried through into the design of early gas oil purifiers such as the ‘Whittle’.”
A STEM team tours the country with a programme of activities and demonstrations - led by graduates and apprentices - utilising an exhibition trailer and flying demonstrations in our historic aircraft. By showing our Heritage and describing the technical evolution and path to sustainability – makes the Heritage Flight so evocative when we engage with STEM.
“In August, September and October we are really busy with seaside shows like Clacton, Eastbourne and Bournemouth where over a million people will visit each event. It’s a really great opportunity for engagement both on the ground and in the air.”
Steg is proud to see the team move beyond STEM and shows.
“Our Chief Test Pilot flew an A330 on 100% SAF,” he explains. “He is part of the project that will fly a Boeing 787 across the Atlantic this year. Heritage is not being left behind; one of our projects this year is to run a Griffon on our test bed on unleaded fuel with a plan to run SAF AVGAS IN 2024.”
“When we engage in STEM, I always describe engineers as problem solvers. In the 1940s we needed to go faster and higher to overcome an adversary and that solution came in the form of our Merlin and Griffon engines with their supercharger technology. Future challenges need the same dedicated approach to find technical solutions through engineering. Its great to be part of a company that is at the forefront of providing solutions to modern problems.”
With plans afoot to develop an overhaul and supply business too for Heritage flight, the team puts back in more ways than one. But Steg can’t help but recognise the pure emotion of the aircraft he calls his office.
“It’s not about the pilot, it’s about the machine. But being part of it is just unbelievably rewarding,” Steg says.
“If I ever have a difficult day, that door over there? I just stick my head into the hanger and my morale is restored.”
But how does it feel to be flying a priceless vintage Mustang in the wake of a ‘notoriously unreliable’ early jet fighter?
“Ah, yes,” Steg laughs. “Sometimes you just have to take a brave pill and tuck in a bit closer!”
You can see just how close Steg flew in his recent trip here. And watch out for the schedule of flights over the summer months.