The Flight Team

Name:

Phil Connolly

Title:

Owner and pilot of Huey 72-21509

Information:

Managing Director of MSS Holdings (UK) Ltd. I have been involved with the Offshore Industry since 1974.  Most of my time was spent offshore in the North Sea where I progressed to a Construction Superintendent and then to an Offshore Project Manager. This then led me to form my own company in 1983.  This company turned out to be a successful business and today MSS Holdings (UK) Ltd operates Huey 509 on a part-time basis which is mainly weekends or evenings when weather permits. 

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Name:

Joanne Connolly

Title:

Wife!

Information:

Since the Huey arrived we have both been surprised by the amount of attention it has received and have been overwhelmed by the response from the public. So it has become my job to assist Phil in dealing with all the enquiries we get, keeping the website up to date and running the on-line shop!

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Name:

Neil Airey

Title:

Chief Pilot of “HUEY” 72-21509

Information:

Squadron Leader Neil Airey cfs RAF (Retd). Served as a Helicopter pilot in the RAF for 20 years and is currently a civilian Freelance Helicopter pilot flying Bolkow 105 Air Ambulances in the UK.

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Name:

Geoff Connolly

Title:

Training Captain

Information:

No relation to Phil! Ex-RAF pilot, instructor, and test pilot; subsequently worked for Bristow Helicopters for 9 years and is now Chief Pilot for AV8 Helicopters, in addition to consulting for a number of other clients. Geoff is a CAA Flight Examiner and Type Rating Examiner. Aims to get an Approved Course and JAR Type Rating Training Organisation established for the 205/Huey.

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Name:

Simon Johnson

Title:

Crewmaster

Information:

As crew master I give both Phil and Neil the help and support they need to check and operate the Huey. Whilst taking on other aspects of the helicopter it means they can concentrate on the job of flying. It's great fun going to the various shows around the UK and meeting and talking to everyone who comes to look at the Huey. I know it shouldn't surprise me, but it still does, just how broad an appeal the Huey has and just what it means to so many.

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Name:

Rob Tierney

Title:

Pilot

Information:

 I joined the RAF in 1965 and flew a number of aircraft. Whilst serving in the Falklands I “borrowed” a huey from the other side and brought it home! Once she was rebuilt and registered under G-HUEY, I was involved in flying her around the air show circuit for a number of years in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund. I met Phil and Jo at the London Air Show in April 2006 and Phil asked me if I wanted to get involved with this project. I didn’t need asking twice!

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Name:

Keith Thomas

Title:

Pilot

Information:

I served as a helicopter pilot, instructor & examiner in the RAF for a total of 31 years and left to join the Civil Aviation Authority in 1999.   My current post is as a Flight Operations Inspecting & Standards Officer within the Flight Operations Inspectorate based at Gatwick Airport.  On 1 June 2009 my role is changing to that of a Licensing Standards Inspector in the Personnel & Licensing Division.

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Name:

Becky Pickford

Title:

PA to Phil Connolly and Ops Admin for Huey 509 Team

Information:

I’ve worked for Phil for almost 3 years and have got away with not being on this Team Page until now!  It is a known fact amongst the Huey Team that I am camera-shy and will avoid having my photo taken at all costs so I have my suspicions as to who noticed I wasn’t on the Team Page and snitched (…..Simon?!?). 

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