Meet the GAC Member – Dave Agate

11th November 2024

Meet Dave Agate, a Goodwood Aero Club member and aircraft engineer at Goodwood. Recently, Dave achieved a significant milestone by earning his Private Pilot License (PPL) at Goodwood Flying School.

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  • Aviation

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Tell us a bit about you?
I have been a fulltime aircraft engineer at Goodwood for over 5 years and live just 15 minutes down the road. My biggest passion outside of aviation is Motorcycle Trials. It is a very physical and technical sport which I find is great for my fitness and mental health. In addition to that I love going out for walks in the countryside with my girlfriend. Being surrounded by aircraft and machinery most days, it is a nice time to escape in nature.

Have you always been interested in aviation?
I have been passionate about aircraft and dreamed of being a pilot ever since I was a child! Aeroplanes and the idea of flight have always fascinated me. Growing up living near Goodwood, I will always remember the excitement and exhilaration I felt when I saw the air displays for the events. The aircraft often passed low over my house. The Red Arrows were always amazing but from the moment I saw a mass Spitfire formation, I knew that’s exactly what I wanted to be a part of when I grew up. I went to many airshows and read lots of books and magazines about all things aviation. I was never sure how I would get there but I knew no amount of work would stop me. 

 

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How has your flying journey at Goodwood been?
Learning to fly at Goodwood has been amazing. Being surrounded by such a vast variety of aircraft and passionate people, it has been impossible not to love it. I first started my flying journey in 2017 on the De Havilland Chipmunk as I was the successful candidate for the Boultbee Flying Scholarship. After going solo, I was dedicated to getting my license, however there were many setbacks including the pandemic. I am so passionate about vintage tail draggers and dream of flying warbirds one day. Therefore, to receive 10 hours to fly the Cub as part of the Rob Wildeboer Scholarship and to continue my license in such a unique aircraft at a place steeped in history, it meant a great deal to me.
It has been extremely challenging and a lot of hard work, particularly with the weather conditions these last two summers. However, my highlight definitely has to be my crosscountry flight to Rochester and Lydd. It was the biggest step in the journey and it’s when all my hard work finally came together and made me feel like a real pilot.


What was the best piece of advice you were given?
Armchair flying! This technique was the best advice I was given during my flight training. It really helped me excel towards my solo flight and through the rest of the course. Spending half an hour every other evening, especially the night before a flight, sitting in my room and flying the exercise in my head using a pen as a control stick made getting in the aircraft and performing so much easier. It was basically free flying and really boosted my confidence.


What was the hardest part of doing your PPL?
The hardest part was coming back into flying and basically having to start again on the Cub. After 5 years it’s amazing how much you forget and think you can almost jump back in and fly just like you once could. The Cub was very different to the Chipmunk. It certainly wasn’t easy taking a step back but when I finally managed to get back to solo it was the best feeling ever!

Where are you going to fly first?
I have already flown a couple of times! Just local flights as I wanted to take the people who had my back through my journey. My mum, dad and girlfriend were all so supportive especially during the more challenging times! I am really excited to fly to the Isle of Wight and Duxford for a day trip to the museum!

Now that you have passed, what’s next?
Fly, fly, fly! I want to build lots of tailwheel hours and become a safer and even more experienced pilot. I never want to stop learning. I would love to gain an aerobatic rating sometime in the near future. The ultimate dream is warbirds and commercial flying, but right now I need to enjoy what I have achieved so far and take one step at a time.


If you are interested in learning to fly at Goodwood, learn about all of Our Courses.

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