The story of the day: from Princess Diana's chief of staff to an amateur airplane pilot.
Patrick Jephson spent years researching the sky to identify interesting aircraft. However, the pandemic has significantly reduced the number of aircraft, causing it to ask many questions. One of them was whether it was worth living near the airport.
"All my life I wanted to live near an airport. Who wouldn't want to wake up and fall asleep to the sound of aircraft engines? Of course, I know the answer - a lot of people (especially those who try to persuade young children to go to bed!). However, for me it was a constant ambition to live as close to the tracks as possible. ”
Patrick Jephson is a branding consultant
Patrick Jephson is a branding consultant with an excellent reputation, having worked with aviation operators, manufacturers and support services for over 20 years. Previously, he worked in the Royal Navy. He owns a PPL and loves all the "things" that fly.
He is one of the world's leading experts in reputation management for CEOs and has the distinction of being the first and only private secretary to the late Princess Diana.
"When I moved to central London, I seemed to have a constant air show. The planes were flying on the ILS to the west runways of Heathrow. It seemed to me that I was spending my years in that city constantly admiring the sky. None was more interesting, of course, than the incomparable Concorde with which I had the privilege of flying several times. ”, he declared, remembering the time he had been in the service of the Princess of Wales.
"Then I moved to the US - and if you think that the proximity of the airport was a major factor in choosing my house, you're right. I chose the house not only for the convenience of arriving at check-in on time. I lived for three years near Washington Reagan Airport and it was a pleasure. My pilot friends talked about the difficult flights and complicated landings on runway 19, while the great landmarks of downtown Washington could be seen from above. ”
"In 2021, the terrace is too cold for coffee or cocktails and because of the pandemic, the sky is empty."
"When I left Washington to go to Virginia, I was sad to leave DCA behind, but I moved to Washington Dulles, with its futuristic and timeless Saarinen terminal, unique mobile lounges and the adjacent aviation museum. Udvar-Hazy. ”
"Now I can sit on the terrace with my morning coffee and watch the commuters walk in a succession of Embraer and Canada Air aircraft. In the evening, while having a barbecue and sipping a cocktail, I can count the contingent of aircraft, and sometimes, when I least expect it, an aircraft crosses the fixed sky above my head. ”, he says smiling.
In 2021, the terrace is too cold for coffee or cocktails and due to the pandemic, the sky is empty. I haven't flown anywhere since March 2020 (OK, I was in Dubai with an Emirates A380, so I don't expect too much sympathy!). ”
"Everything will be fine!"
"I know everything will be fine: vaccinations will put the world back on its feet, and the wonderful people who work in aviation (whom I envy every day) will prove once again how strong this great industry is as it recovers." he says.
"And yet… my joy will be incomplete. Jets with four engines will disappear. Where will be the greatness and pride of the legendary giants of the air, the wings of each aircraft adorned with pairs of carved nacelles? Where will be that unmistakable deep bang that signals that a true "queen of heaven" is about to appear? "
"At this rate, it will not be worth living near an airport at all. I could move to a new house… ”
"MY COVID STORY" - a brand project www.aerotime.aero which airlinestravel.ro supports and we are happy to take these stories further.