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New CEO Aims to Take fly2help to New Heights
Chris
Hadlow, a former Royal Air Force Squadron Leader, who began
learning to fly at the age of 10, has taken over at the fly2help
helm. Chris, who has been involved with the charity since
its formation, replaces founder and Rolls-Royce Chief Test
Pilot Phill O'Dell.
Married father-of-two Chris, who spent 16 years in the RAF, including six years as a Jaguar pilot and periods as an instructor, has aviation in his blood.
And he is fully aware of the amazing impact that flight can have on people.
The 41-year-old, who lives near Devizes in Wiltshire, said: "Flying to me is a passion, as well as a career and I have had a great life thanks to it. I started flying with my father when I was 10, so was lucky enough to experience the uplifting and powerful effect it can have from an early age. It has been a pleasure to be involved with fly2help and I am delighted to be able to take on an even more active role and give something back."
Chris, who spent a period as a commercial airline pilot after leaving the RAF, and now works for TAG Aviation flying a private Gulfstream 450 jet, says he is looking forward to helping take fly2help onto the next level.
He said: "The charity and Phill have done a fantastic job since it was founded and, really, the only thing holding us back is there aren't enough hours in the day. Phill asked me if I would be interested in taking on the challenge and I am really looking forward to building on the great work that everyone has already done. A lot of people believe in the charity and the way that it has touched the lives of so many people makes it so worthwhile. It has been said that for pilots, being able to fly is like having the sun in your office every day. To be able to offer that experience and our support to those who benefit from it, is the reason why fly2help exists."
Chris is married to Dawn and has an eight-year-old daughter Lucy and son James, who is five. He lists his interests as travel, sport (particularly cricket, squash, rugby and running), aerobatic flying, food, wine and photography.