Airport Stories
Various true stories from the runways
A Celebrity Wee:
This crazy event happened sometime in the mid-to-late seventies. I went into the terminal building to use the washrooms which in those days were located just inside the main door and then turn right. I walked into the gents and stood by the first urinal. I was aware that another male had walked in and he stood at the next urinal on the right of me. I took a quick glance at his face and was surprised to see none other than Dick Emery. I'm guessing some of you maybe a little young to remember so I will briefly explain who he is.
Dick Emery was born on the 19 February 1915 and passed away on the 2 January 1983.He was an English comedian and actor who began his career on radio in the 1950s. He had a self-titled television series which ran from ran from 1963 to 1981.
Now I was a big fan of this funny little man and to be having a wee next to him amused me somewhat and I began to smile. He obviously could see I had recognised him and so he came out with his famous hookline "Ooh you are awful ........but I like you"!! I laughed and proceeded to wash my hands and made haste out to my waiting friends, I just couldn't wait to tell them what had just occured.
A passing breeze:
During my time with 4 AEF flying in Chipmunks, the unit was based next to the small hanger to the left of the terminal building. This is now the HQ for Capital Air Ambulance. The offices for 4 AEF were upstairs on the top level and overlooked the approach to runway 08 and what is now the initial stands before the terminal building. It was a reasonably warm day but unfortunately, I cannot remember the date other than to say it was the mid-1970s.
A rather excitable pilot called Squadron Leader Jock Cassels was airborne at the time. Jock served at RAF Exeter flying Mosquitos with the CAACU carrying out target towing missions. A couple of the other pilots and I were in the office, as I say, with the windows open. We knew by the amount of time that had passed that Jock should be returning to base ready to collect the next Air Cadet. The runway in use that day was runway 26. Suddenly we heard the Gypsy engine of a Chipmunk approaching and the sound got louder and louder. Before we knew what was happening the Chipmunk shot passed the window very low and fast and just cleared the gap between the terminal building and our building. The passing breeze that followed picked up any loose documents and sucked them out of the window along with anything else not secured and light. I burst out laughing but the other pilots shouted, “bloody Cassels” and shook their fist at the window. I ran downstairs in an attempt to recover the loose documents. Needless to say, Jock was asked to report to the ATC upon landing for what I can only assume would be a stripping off.
I was outstanding in my field:
I always go out to see the RAF Red Arrows whenever possible, but I do especially remember one particular occasion when the Reds were going to display at Sidmouth at 6pm. One of the places I used to frequent on a regular basis was the field on the end of runway 08 long before the new road and tunnel was built. If you pulled into a gated area just off the airport runway you could enter the field and after a short steep climb up the field, you were literally by the ILS system for the runway. This position was absolutely the best for seeing the Reds take off from runway 26 as they were still very low by the time they arrived over your head. On this occasion, I watched the nine Hawks depart and get the thrill of the breeze in your hair along with the loud jet noise that followed. I decided to hang on and await their return as the transit time returning from Sidmouth was only minutes after their 20-minute display routine. If you looked carefully you could actually just about see their display way in the distance.
It was a clear evening and along with this came the possibility of a formation loop in diamond nine before splitting to land. As the nine aircraft lights began to appear in front of me way in the distance, I heard a heavy breathing noise behind me. Somewhat afraid to look I slowly turned my head around to see that I was indeed not alone! I was in fact surrounded by a herd of curious looking cows. Large cows, (very large!) who seemed very interested in me, all of them. I decided keep calm and to turn back around and watch the Reds break to land and was thinking to myself, they will be startled by the noise of the aircraft and go away so I will be ok.
What actually happened as the Reds pulled up into a loop was that all the cows heads (together) looked up at them and followed them around the loop until they came back down towards us. They then looked me up and down a bit and one of the cows started to stamp its feet. I was beginning to think that I would not get out of the field alive now and maybe if I was injured by them, nobody would find me in here for a long time.
The Reds were now left and right downwind to land and it was time for me to plan my escape. In front of me was a small barbed wire fence that had a slight hole in it, leading airside towards the runway threshold. I decided to dive into this hole and was now separated from said cows but now airside and officially trespassing! I ran down the perimeter of the fence to another small hole and a slight gap in the hedge where I could just fit through. This now placed me behind the cows and lower in the field towards the exit gate. I counted to three and then ran like hell towards the exit gate and made it back out to my car.
The things I do to get a glimpse of the Red Arrows!
You're Going The Wrong Way!:
I cannot remember the date of this strange incident, but it was probably early eighties. The airport was reasonably busy with the runway in use being runway 26. A light aircraft was on about a 7 - mile final and another light aircraft was waiting at taxiway Charlie holding point for departure.
The one for departure was an Irish registered aircraft visiting and clearly unfamiliar with the airfield layout. I was monitoring things on my scanner from the Exeter Flying Club grass terrace where I spent a large amount of time! Air Traffic Control called the waiting aircraft at Charlie and gave instructions for an immediate take off on runway 26. The aircraft slowly moved forwards onto the runway and turned right presumably to back track slightly. The aircraft on approach to 26 was clearly visible and making steady progress to land. Suddenly the Irish aircraft accelerated the wrong way effectively using 08! As you would expect ATC immediately shouted on the airwaves "Echo India … you're going the wrong way, there is an aircraft on approach!" The Irish aircraft slowly climbed away towards the approaching light aircraft and ATC were then hurriedly announced "Golf .... go around, I say again go around, please acknowledge". The approaching aircraft began to power away into a climb turning slightly to the right. Luckily, the aircraft avoided each other but there was no communication from the departing Irish aircraft. ATC then announced, "We will be filing a near-miss report".
I could not believe what I had just witnessed but was very relieved that a collision was avoided. The scanner certainly makes life more interesting when aircraft spotting.
Crash Gate Steamy Windows:
Back in the day, as you drove up the lane towards the main terminal building, one of the first sights you saw as you reached the brow of the hill was the wind sock on the left. Situated next to the wind sock was a small pull in area where you could park either on the left or right of the crash gate. The crash gate had to be left clear at all times for emergency vehicles should they be required. If people did park in front of the gate, the airport fire service would soon drive over and tell you to move.
Now this area did of course attract plane spotters and often delivery drivers who had stopped for a bite to eat or a quick cuppa. At night the pull in would attract couples who would obviously start getting fruity judging by the steamed up windows and strange jerking movements of the vehicle. I often wondered if the Air Traffic Control watched over with their binoculars and recognised regulars or witnessed some wicked affairs. Occasionally an aircraft would land with all lights glowing and completly light up the vehicles in the dark of the night. I wonder how many children were conceived at that location at the time?
I of course was purely there to watch the aviation! (cough).
Other Published Airport Stories
"We no German, We Polski”
My family farmed a few miles from Exeter Airport during the War. My uncle Percy told me this story. He was also in the Home Guard, like many other farmers during the war. So, one summers evening when he was out in the farmyard, he heard “foreign” voices in the road outside. He immediately went out pitchfork in hand - in true Dads Army “don’t panic” style - and was met with a lot of very scared-looking young men apparently. “we no German we Polski” was their cry. They’d apparently walked up the country lanes from the airport looking for a pub, and had got lost! They were from the Polish Squadron at Exeter Airport. So, this being Devon, uncle offered them some of the local Cider as hospitality, and all was well! Then let them ride on the hay wagon back to the airport.
Sue Wakley-Stoyle
"Fear of Flying":
Since before our marriage, 42 years ago, my wife had been terrified of flying. But in 1988 my daughter married a sergeant in the American Air Force and my wife realised that she had to overcome the fear if she was to visit them in Hawaii where he was stationed.
Determined, she made her first visit to Exeter Airport in 1991. She was given a guided tour of the airport and helped through her phobia by everyone she met.
On her second visit she sat in an empty plane, fastened her seatbelt and was reassured by the captain and crew.
On the third visit she flew to Jersey and back and was treated with consideration and good-will wherever she went.
Eventually, in December 1991 we flew to Hawaii, one of the farthest flights, taking 11 hours.
Since then, my wife and I have travelled in around 40 different aircraft toto various destinations, her phobia completely cured.
We have this chance to say thank you Exeter Airport, with your help and understanding, this Granma, with six grandchildren, is now able to travel the world.
Phil Le Houx
Kingsbridge, originally published in the Exeter Airport 60 Sensational Years supplement.
Petticoat Pursuit Halts Take Off:
It was 1961, he year when full, frothy net waist petticoats were in fashion. I had worn a pink one under my wedding dress but left it behind at the hotel when I’d changed into my going-away suit. We were off to Guernsey via Exeter Airport, 50 miles away.
We were sitting in the plane – a 16 seater Heron, I believe – taxying out to the runway when the pilot spotted that we were being chased by the fire engine, complete with blue flashing light.
He juddered to a halt, the cabin crew opened the door, and a laughing fireman handed my pink frothy petticoat explaining that my father-in-law, the actor George Woodridge, had chased down the A30, Hoping to catch us before we took off. I sat there, face as pink as the petticoat, trying to pretend it wasn’t mine.
Mrs Eddi Woodridge
Exeter, originally published in the Exeter Airport 60 Sensational Years supplement 1998.
Forced Landing In The Exe:
In the latter part of 1944 I was the Commanding Officer of No.275 Squadron based at Exeter when the Station Commander, Sir Archibald Hope, an ex-Battle of Britain pilot, was in charge. My squadron was equipped with Spitfire VB aircraft plus four Walrus Amphibians.
In November 1944, one of my pilots was flying a Walrus near Topsham when part of the engine blew up. He managed to land in the Exe at Topsham.
Sqn Ldr E W Seabourne DFC RAF (Rtd), originally published in the Exeter Airport 60 Sensational Years supplement 1998.
Helping The Old Girl to Keep Safe and Sound:
We had a very good relationship with Exeter Airport over a number of years. Myself, as one of a team, have captained aircraft, had my aircraft doused in foam, been rescued by firemen from a smoke filled passenger deck, suffered heart attacks, injury, blindness and burns. I am a member of Casualties Union, one of a team of casualties who have helped in a small way, ‘the old girl’ to achieve 60 years of safety.
Peter J Edwards
Exeter, originally published in the Exeter Airport 60 Sensational Years supplement 1998.
Early Air Gunner was Armed With a Rifle:
My first memory as a young lad was what I believe was the first air display, in 1938 or 39. I remember seeing three Swordfish aircraft and an aerial gunnery display in which a passenger in an open cockpit monoplane fired at a large balloon tied to the ground, with a rifle. It was also the first time I had witnessed a parachute jump and the parachutist landed on top of a hangar!
Mr K Burridge
Exeter, originally published in the Exeter Airport 60 Sensational Years supplement 1998.
We Were Given Bubbly on First Honeymoon Flight:
My husband Paul and myself were the first honeymooners to fly Air Westward from Exeter Airport on September 25, 1978, and were presented with a bottle of Champagne by Air Westward’s sales co-ordinator, Miss Sally Drew.
My father-in-law John Davis (now deceased) was going to drive us to Gatwick for our flight to Greece, but in the end couldn’t find the time, so he booked us on Air Westward flight to Gatwick.
We are still happily married and will be celebrating 20 years of marriage, with our two children, Sarah, 14 and Simon, 13 this year.
I still have a newspaper clipping stating the above facts, the headline reads Airline gives couple a bubbly send-off.
Kate Davis
Exminster, originally published in the Exeter Airport 60 Sensational Years supplement 1998.
This page was last updated 17 March 2026.