Two Fleet Air Arm legends retire after sharing last flight

Stephen ‘Softy’ Beirne and Ian ‘I-Mac’ McDonald both joined the Royal Navy in 1986. They had careers as Sea King helicopter observers, flying anti-submarine warfare missions as well as search and rescue with 771 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Culdrose.

They then left the service to work as civilians with 750 Naval Air Squadron, first with company Serco and then for the current contractor Ascent Flight Training.

The RNAS Culdrose squadron trains Royal Navy observers – the rear crew member who is typically a mission commander, radar operator and weapons officer – in basic flying training before they specialise in either Merlin or Wildcat helicopters.

Mr Beirne, aged 64 and from Falmouth, said: “I’ve had a good career and I’ve enjoyed it. I worked out that I’ve trained every observer in military uniform on this base – with the exception of three people. That’s all the observers, the squadron commanders, the force commanders and even the captain.”

His naval career saw Mr Beirne serve with 826 and 820 naval air squadrons, as well as the search and rescue squadrons 771, covering Cornwall, and 819 covering Scotland from Prestwick.

“I’ve flown more than 100 search and rescue missions. It was exciting,” he added. “I was also in the First Gulf War. We were on a Dutch ship just off Kuwait and we were one of the first – if not the first – helicopters into Kuwait. You had missiles fired at you. They were certainly exciting times but my passion has always been in instruction.”

In 1998, Mr Beirne joined 750 Naval Air Squadron as a qualified observer instructor on the Jetstream aircraft. He left the navy in 2006 and carried on the same role as a civilian, later converting to the King Air Avenger aircraft.

When asked what qualities make a good observer, Mr Beirne said trusting each other - essentially with their lives - was one of the most important lessons for any aircrew.

He said: “I’d say an observer needs good mental dexterity, professionalism and honesty. What I mean by honesty is that you’ve got to be totally truthful with the rest of the crew. The observer is mostly working on their own specific area [for example navigation or fuel consumption], so they must be honest with the crew. If not, then that to me is one of the worst crimes.

“What we try to do on this squadron is make them into leaders. You want people who, in moments of high stress, can make decisions. Even if those decisions aren’t the best ones, it’s important that you keep making decisions. 

“The best thing for me is when you are able to come up with something, when the usual methods are not working and you have to try something else, some form of instruction where the student suddenly sees the light. That’s just so rewarding.”

Mr McDonald also served with 826, 820 and 771 naval air squadrons. He joined 750 squadron in 2000 and left the navy in 2002, but continued working as a civilian instructor. In 2007 he took civilian pilot training, and then rejoined Serco, this time as a staff pilot, before transferring to Ascent Flight Training in 2011.

The 65-year-old from Helston said: “My original plan was to go and fly with the airlines when I left the navy but I decided to stay here at Culdrose. I’ve never regretted it. It’s much more rewarding bringing people through the training programme and the flying is better.

“I’ve really enjoyed being a pilot and I’ve always wanted to fly. I can still remember my first flight as an air cadet, and it was magical. Now that I’ve had to retire, my plan now is to requalify as a light aircraft instructor.”

Captain James Hall, the commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose met both men as they walked back to the squadron after their final flight. Personnel from across RNAS Culdrose lined the steps leading from the dispersal and applauded the pair as they returned back.

Captain Hall praised both men for their commitment and professionalism in shaping the careers of so many involved in military aviation. He said they had maintained the Royal Navy’s high standards and instilled its ethos into a whole generation of aircrew.

He added: “During my training I flew with Ian and Softy was my instructor in 2003. Softy was my mentor from the very start of my flying career. Even then, he had vast experience and you could see the passion he has as a military aviator. I struck up a friendship with him then which has lasted more than 20 years.”