News

The Master’s Message

The current Master is Captain Jonathan Legat. His first visit to Heathrow, as a very small boy, is still a vividly implanted in his memory and that was the day he announced: “I am going to be a pilot”. In that brief encounter he’d got the bug; nothing deviated him from that goal and he has now been flying for nearly 50 years.

At 17 he completed a Royal Naval Flying Scholarship, 30 hours flying at Carlisle and seven months later, after A-levels, he finished his PPL at Roborough. Jonathan then flew privately at Biggin Hill until he started his cadetship at The College of Air Training, Hamble.

Upon graduation there were no flying jobs with British Airways so, somewhat reluctantly, he accepted their suggestion of becoming Cabin Crew until one became available. Flying jobs in GA, corporate aviation and the the fledgling Air Europe did eventuate before he moved to Hong Kong to join Cathay Pacific in the mid 80s.

After more than 30 years with Cathay Pacific, 25 years in Hong Kong and 27 years on the jumbo, Jonathan retired from professional flying at the beginning of 2018, having flown almost 25,000 hours.

Jonathan joined GAPAN 20 years ago and took Livery in 2014; he was elected to the Court as an Assistant in 2015.

Jonathan and his wife, Dominique, live in a small village near Winchester; they have a daughter, a soppy Golden Retriever, a cat and around 30,000 bees. His hobbies include skiing, cycling, riding his motorbike, and he has recently taken up beekeeping and joined a chess club. He plays flute (quite well) and saxophone (badly) and particularly enjoys watching Formula 1, rugby and cricket.

The Master writes …

After several years of eager anticipation, I have now assumed the mantle of Master of this Honourable Company. In the last few months, I have oscillated between enthusiasm and trepidation, but I am happy to report that enthusiasm has won.

First, I must thank our IPM Robin Keegan and his Consort, Eileen. I am indebted to them for the sound advice and wisdom they have given me in my journey as Master Elect and am greatly reassured that I will continue to have Robin by my side throughout the ensuing year.

I thought I would give you a brief insight into my duties, which started some time ago in my year as Master Elect, the most significant event being Dinner with Alderman Nicholas Lyons, who was at that time Lord Mayor elect.

The Company Journal

The Company produces a bi-monthly issue of its journal ‘Air Pilot’ edited by Allan Winn containing information on the aviation scene and Company activities.

You can download the current issue as well as past issues back to 2008 at this link.