A SHOPKEEPER and aviation enthusiast has taken the controls of Yorkshire's only air show.

Ken Cothliff, owner of Air Supply aviation and hobby shop in Yeadon, is busy organising this year's Great Yorkshire Air Show, at Elvington Airfield, near York.

The air show, based at a former 1939-45 war airfield next to the Yorkshire Air Museum, attracts thousands of visitors.

Mr Cothliff, 55, has been the organiser of the full-sized aircraft display since the show began eight years ago. The show also included radio-controlled models in previous years.

This year, he was invited to take over as the director of the show, overseeing a four-hour display featuring top fighter jets and historic veteran aircraft.

As an enthusiast, he said he has found his dream job.

He said: "I used to commentate at airshows because of my knowledge of aviation. Then I got involved with organising the full-size display at Elvington. The aerodrome was bought out by a private firm last year. Unexpectedly, I got a call from the company asking me to do the show again."

But holding an air show involves far more than simply booking in a few planes. It takes a whole year to organise and safety becomes a bigger issue every year, following a number of fatal crashes.

In fact, one of Mr Cothliff's friends died when his Spitfire crashed earlier this year.

He said: "The most important thing is public safety. Britain has the best safety record of any country in Europe. No spectator has been killed at a British air show since 1950."

Mr Cothliff has to arrange for water, electricity, and seating to be taken into the aerodrome, and even security guards to make sure no-one tampers with the RAF's valuable jets.

"We have to make the site secure, when millions of pounds of taxpayers' money is parked on the ramp," he said.

Among the exhibits this year are a Tornado F3 fighter, the popular Harrier jump jet, two French Mirage F1 fighters, and the Red Arrows display team.

One of the highlights of the show for aircraft buffs is the taxiing of the museum's star exhibit, a Handley Page Victor. The British jet was designed as a nuclear bomber, but later converted to a tanker for mid-air refuelling.

However, Mr Cothliff's first love is 1939-45 war aircraft, and his much-envied role in air shows has given him the chance to fly aboard historic warbirds.

He has flown in 67 different types of aircraft, including an American B-25 Mitchell bomber, which will appear at the show, and a veteran Mustang fighter.

"The only thing I haven't done is fly in a fast jet. I don't think the RAF would let me do it now, because of my age," he said.

The air display takes place on August 27 and 28, with a preview day on August 26. To book tickets call the hotline on (01759) 305851.

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