Des joined the RAF from school and his first operational tour was on the Vulcan MkII. He then moved to Canberra-Strike, Cyprus as a weapons instructor. He was a QFI at RAF Valley and solo display pilot in the Gnat in 1971. Des became a Staff instructor at Central Flying School, and the actual Gnat that he flew is at Kemble today.
Des followed this with a three year tour with the Red Arrows, as No. 8 then Synchro Pair Leader, where he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for valuable services in the air. Des's last operational tour was on the Jaguar in Germany, after which he moved to short and long haul commercial flying with Britannia Airways, flying the Boeing 737, 757, 767.
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