Stratton Richey is a busy man. Show-goers will be familiar with his distinctive voice from his work as the commentator for Farnborough's flying display. But away from the show, his day job is in the left-hand seat of a British Airways Boeing 747.
And if that weren't enough, he is also the chairman of High Flight, a charity dedicated to giving terminally ill or disadvantaged children the experience of flight.
Richey's Farnborough job came about by accident - quite literally. A mountaineering mishap forced him to retire from the Royal Artillery. While thinking about new opportunities, he happened to meet John Blake on a train journey. Blake was the revered commentator at Farnborough.
Blake knew Richey's uncle, Wing Commander Paul Richey, author of 'Fighter Pilot' and the two struck up a conversation about aerospace.
Blake talked about the joy of commentating. Richey called him up and was invited to help out with some morning announcements. It was quickly apparent that he had natural commentating flair, and he became deputy commentator of Farnborough in 1976. Twenty years later, when Blake retired, Richey became chief commentator.
Meanwhile, having qualified as a commercial pilot and worked his way through BA to the rank of 747 captain, Richey heard about the concept of the High Flight charity when BA came up with the idea three years ago.
He offered his services - and became chairman. In that capacity, he has helped develop the charity's work, helping young people with physical and mental disabilities improve their quality of life by being associated with aviation.
The charity, which has raised £200,000 since its inception, assists with flight training and associated activities, such as funding visits to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. It has also sponsored flying scholarships for the disabled through funds raised at the Royal International Air Tattoo. The charity has also given youngsters the chance to experience the thrills of gliding.
Richey is hoping visitors to Farnborough this year will help boost the charity's funds by buying raffle tickets available at the BA simulator. "Donations go straight to High Flight and in return you get a fabulous insight into flying from the simulator."
Donations can also be sent to High Flight at PO Box 392, Ashford, TN27 9YQ.
MARCELLA NETHERSOL
Source: Flight Daily News
