Short shrift
Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 12:46 am
A pilot who has completed the world's shortest scheduled flight more than 12,000 times is to take to the skies over Orkney for the last time.
Stuart Linklater, 59, will retire after making his final trip on the route between Westray and Papa Westray.
It takes just two minutes - including taxiing - to complete the 1.7 mile flight, which is about the same length as the runway at Edinburgh Airport.
Mr Linklater, a pilot with Loganair, has spent 24 years in the job.
During his time on the inter-isle routes - which also includes flights to Stronsay, Sanday, North Ronaldsay and Eday - the Orkney-based pilot has chalked up more than 1.3 million miles in the single-manned, eight-seater Britten-Norman Islander aircraft used on the service.
Mr Linklater, who will continue working part-time for Loganair operating aircraft out of Glasgow, said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Orkney inter-isle service and have worked with and carried so many interesting people over the 24 years I've spent piloting the Islander.
"There's nothing quite like the experience of taking the Islander up and I will look back fondly on my years spent flying between the islands over the years.
"Flying the Islander in some of the most challenging weather conditions in Scotland means I've had my fair share of turbulence over the years, but I've enjoyed every minute of it.
"Although I have other interests I'll still continue flying, albeit on a part-time basis, on the Glasgow services to Barra, Tiree and Campbeltown."
Mr Linklater joined Loganair after gaining his private pilot licence in 1982 and his commercial pilot's licence in 1988, and has worked with the airline for 25 years, 16 of them as part of the company's then air ambulance service contract.
He has flown enough miles to circumnavigate the globe 50 times.
