Narberth and District Probus Club enjoyed a fascinating talk from one of its own club members, recently, when Mike Bearman described the changes in the aviation industry, drawing from a lifetime's experience in the industry.

Mike grew up in Hendon and spent a lot of time watching aeroplanes taking off and landing at the local airport.

It was of little surprise that he later decided to pursue a career in the aviation industry. He was the third generation in his family to be involved in the industry. Mike studied Aviation Engineering for 5 years partly at Brunel University and then took a job in Rhodesia to gain experience and became a fully qualified avionics engineer.

In this job he pursued fault-finding on engines and other areas in the aircraft. During this time he travelled all over Africa including one trip to Lake Victoria to sort out a DC3 only to find a pride of lions enjoying the shade under the plane! After solving tasks for various companies, 2 years later he returned to the Uk and joined Laker Airways as a supervisor.

Now with an Independent Licence, which allowed him to work anywhere, he joined Caledonian Airways as Chief Avionics Engineer and moved into the purchasing department buying Boeing 707's and other aircraft, some costing millions of dollars.

Next Mike travelled to Texas, California, Arizona and elsewhere where he was able to buy craft with various electronic faults, mend them and move them on at a profit. He returned to Africa taking on jobs in Egypt, Libya and elsewhere.

By now he was an Economics Specialist in the aviation field and was advising governments in their purchasing strategy, a task he fulfilled for 5 years. After retirement Mike moved to West wales and now lives in Narberth.

His vast knowledge enabled him to give an in depth talk entitled – Aviation. Its progress, setbacks, politics, financial and aerodynamics.

The next meeting of the club will be on Thursday, April 30 at 12.30pm at the Old Board School Guest House, St Clears when John Evans will give a talk entitled 'The Webfooters Windows’ - The story of the RAF Pembroke Dock's Memorial Windows.

If you would like to join, please phone Patrick Jones on 07846 660904.