The Department for Transport has appointed Mike Pearson as the new ‘General Aviation Advocate’ to represent the needs and ambitions of the general aviation (GA) sector.
Mike was recruited by the department to support the GA industry and provide advice to ministers. The GA Advocate role was created in 2017 and serves to represent and raise the profile of GA. Mike will build on the important work of the previous GA Advocate, Phil Dunnington, who very sadly passed away in 2021, and on the work of the former GA Champion role created in 2015.
Mike Pearson is Vice Chairman of the Royal Aero Club Medals & Awards Committee, former Chairman of the RAeC Records, Racing & Rally Association, former Chairman of the Airfield Operators Group (AOG), former Chairman of the Blackbushe Airport Consultative Committee and Director of Enterprise for Southwark College. Mike is currently Manager of Popham Airfield in Hampshire.
The Aviation Minister (at the time of Mike’s appointment on 2nd September), Robert Courts, said:
It’s vital we make sure the industry is well-represented to solve some of the most pressing issues they are currently facing and enhance further the UK’s position as a world leader in aviation.
Mike is a longstanding role model in aviation and an ideal advocate for the general aviation sector. His career shows not only his excellent suitability for the role, but also how exciting the sector is, and I take great pleasure in welcoming him.
The appointment is key to the delivery of the GA roadmap (published April 2021) that aims to make the UK the best place in the world for GA. The appointment is also an important step in delivering the commitments on general aviation in Flightpath to the future (published earlier this year).