AS AVIATION in Yeadon celebrates its 70th anniversary, a leading light in the local light aircraft industry has looked back on Aireborough's airborne

heritage.

Since its humble beginnings in October 1931, Yeadon Airfield has gone through wartime bomber production and transformed into an international airport employing more than 1,500 people.

But the history of aviation in the area stretches further than wartime aircraft factories and the growth of the airport - Yeadon was also home to the leisure flying industry.

Michael Rockliff, 70, of Carlton Lane, Guiseley, spent more than 50 years working in the aviation business, and founded the Yeadon-based company Yorkshire Light Aircraft Ltd.

His career has seen both Leeds Bradford Airport, and the aviation industry itself, transformed from the days of fabric-covered wooden aircraft to the era of technological sophistication.

Mr Rockliff started his apprenticeship as an engineer with the Lancashire Aircraft Corporation at Yeadon Airfield in 1947.

After completing his National Service with the RAF as an engineer, he returned to the company in 1951.

When the firm closed, he went to work at an airfield in Blackpool, before returning to Yeadon in 1954, to work for Yeadon Aviation, which was founded to service Yeadon Aero Club's aircraft.

He gained his own private pilot's licence and engineer's licence, and became the chief engineer at the company.

When Yeadon Aviation announced its closure in the late 1950s, Mr Rockliff decided to set up his own business - and Yorkshire Light Aircraft was born.

He said: "Fortunately, I was able to hand-pick some of my former staff, and because I had a close association with them, I could spot the talent."

The new business was soon supplying aircraft parts further afield.

"I had customers all over the country. We were supplying aircraft engine parts and other parts through the various franchises and trading associations we had with some American companies," said Mr Rockliff.

As the business grew, the nearby airport was also taking off.

Mr Rockliff recalls the time when the large commercial flights at the airport began to take precedence over freight and the small leisure flyers.

He said: "Light aircraft became associated with weekend fun flying at grass strips. As the years went by, that type of flying was not viable at Leeds Bradford Airport.

"The airport became more interested in big commercial flying. At one stage we considered moving, because the advantages of being at Leeds were not great. However, we continued the relationship until I retired."

Yorkshire Light Aircraft continued sending parts around the world, including Greenland and the Falkland Islands.

But while his own company continued to be successful, Mr Rockliff said the light aircraft manufacturing industry took a downturn.

"The professional manufacture of light aircraft died away in Britain in the late 70s and early 80s," he said.

"Unfortunately, very few manufacturers are based in Britain. This country used to be at the forefront of aircraft production."

He said many flyers turned to small microlight aircraft, which could be built at home, while others preferred to pay more for a ready-to-fly aeroplane.

Mr Rockliff retired as managing director in April last year and Yorkshire Light Aircraft was swallowed up by a larger company.