After 14,000 hours of flying, a local Loganair pilot has landed in Isle of Man for the final time as the team he has been leading for the last five years gathered to meet his final flight into the island, celebrated by a water canon salute.
“Today marks the end of an era for me,” says retiring Loganair’s Isle of Man Base Captain, Stephen Thursfield, as he reaches the age of 65. “But it’s also the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our local team.”
Among those greeting Stephen’s final flight was newly qualified Loganair First Officer, Joe Haddock (26), from Laxey, who becomes the latest Isle of Man resident to join the Loganair team, picking up the baton from Stephen. The pair first met seven years ago when Joe was working as a dispatcher at Ronaldsway.
Reflecting on his remarkable career spanning 40 years, Stephen shares, “Flying has been more than a career for me. I’ve had the time of my life flying all over the UK and beyond, in so many different aircraft and roles.”
As he embarks on a new adventure exploring Europe on his motorbike, Stephen expresses his gratitude, saying, “It’s been an honour to mentor new recruits like Joe and lead our local team on the island. I wish them all the best as they continue to serve the people of Isle of Man.”
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