Pilot surprises old school near Chesham with light aircraft

Students were surprised by the plane which appeared in their playground

A pilot has visited his old school to honour a D-Day veteran who inspired him.

The pupils at the Buckinghamshire primary were surprised when a light aircraft appeared in their playground.

James Gullet said he was inspired to train for the charity Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) after meeting RAF veteran Stuart King in 2017.

Mr King set up the charity to show young people how aviation can support isolated areas.

Pupils at Hawridge and Cholesbury Primary School, at Cholesbury, near Chesham, were listening to Mr Gullet talking in an assembly, when a team from MAF drove the two-seater Cessna 150 on to the playground using a trailer.

James Gullet gave pupils a tour of the Cessna 150 at the primary school

MAF is a Christian charity which provides aid to people living in remote locations.

The visit on Thursday marked the launch of the organisation's Advent Adventure, a digital advent calendar aimed at teaching children about life in isolated locations.

• Listen: Pupils get hands-on with real aircraft

Mr Gullet described returning to his old primary as "a real joy".

"Having the chance to see a real aircraft in their playground, as well as follow the exciting work of MAF during advent will, I hope, inspire the pupils to make a big difference in our world," he said.

Stuart King was an RAF engineer who later set up Mission Aviation Fellowship

James Gullet is the youngest pilot who flies for Mission Aviation Fellowship and said he was inspired to become a pilot while growing up

Mr Gullet is training in the Netherlands and is due to begin his first MAF assignment in 2024, which will make him their youngest British pilot.

When he was growing up, the fledgling airman said he was inspired by displays and military flyovers visible from his grandmother's garden, which backed on to the airfield at RAF Halton.

The trainee pilot said meeting Mr King, who died aged 98 in 2020, "really encouraged me and played a big part in guiding me towards a career with MAF".