He left operational air traffic control just over two years ago, where he worked on North and East Area Control. In that time, he became known as the 'face of NATS' at the Swanwick Air Traffic Control Centre, near Southampton, which looks after en-route air traffic over England and Wales.
 
In that role, David hosted numerous dignitaries, foreign ambassadors, diplomats, politicians, heads of Industry and journalists in support of exports of expertise. When he began that job there were contracts in 19 countries but such is NATS' success, contracts in 34 countries had been established at the time of his retirement!
 
David is convinced that West Buckland gave him much of the social skills needed to engage with the many VIP's he met in his job.
 
He is thoroughly enjoying retirement which gives him more time to fly his Cessna 172 aeroplane at Popham Airfield.