Bruce Dickinson – some of you know him better as the front man of Iron Maiden. Those of us who fly might know him better as a 757 captain.
Until a point last year, he flew for Astraeus Airlines as a until they went into administration and wound up in November last year.
Well now Bruce is back, this time instead of piloting aircraft – he’s setting up a company to maintain them.
Leading up Cardiff Aviation Ltd, the company will be based at the Twin Peaks Hangar at St Athan (ex Royal Air Force base), in the Vale of Glamorgan, with a 132,000 sq ft hangar leased from the Welsh Government.
Cardiff Aviation is aiming to maintain aircraft for both major and independent airlines of varying sizes. Additionally, the company will also perform training, and claims to have the necessary approvals to certify aircraft from jurisdictions including the USA.
It seems to be smiles all round from the Welsh Government, Cardiff Aviation and Bruce Dickinson, with the hope of jobs (creating up to a 1000 in the first instance) and money entering the area.
… and good luck to them.
Alas for Iron Maiden fans, there’s no news about concert in the maintenance hanger I’m afraid…
he also co-owns a 737 simulator, which has had sessions open to the public via http://www.bruceair.co.uk/
I’m glad to hear he’s onto his next adventure. I think he sounds like a really neat person.