I am a club member ‑ Alan Brewer

How long have you been at Goodwood?
About three-and-a-half years. But I actually started off nine years ago as a work experience lad!

What were you doing before?
I started out as a product manager for General Motors, then moved on to co-ordinating Chevrolet UK’s motorsport, including the brand’s activity in the British Touring Car Championship.

What other roles have you performed at Goodwood?
I was the Event Manager, then General Manager at the Motor Circuit. I looked after everything circuit-based other than the Revival and Members’ Meeting.

And what plans do you have in store for the Club?
Primarily, I want to make sure that Members are happy, and that there’s an exciting and varied calendar of events for everyone to take part in. Aside from that, I’ll speak with them and listen to their ideas. I’m looking forward to meeting Goodwood’s core aviation enthusiasts.

Do you have a background in aviation?
I don’t have a professional background, but have been interested in aeroplanes since a young age. My father was a pilot for British Airways, and I’ve always been interested in flying. I took the opportunity at school to join the CCF, and reached the rank of Flight Sergeant in the RAF section.

What’s your best flying experience?
At the age of 17, I attended a gliding scholarship at RAF Kenley, and completed the course flying solo in a Grob Viking glider. Launching from the winch to this day remains one of the most exciting experiences I’ve had, and the feeling of being alone in the sky in complete silence was truly amazing.

Do you have a favourite aircraft?
One of my fondest memories from my childhood was making my first ever model aeroplane – a WW2 Corsair Airfix kit that my dad brought me from the local corner shop. So that has to be up there.  Apart from that, I was always mesmerised at air shows by the displays put on by the various Russian Jets – they just seemed so menacing and manoeuvrable. The one I remember most vividly was a display by a Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker at Boscombe Down – amazing!

What’s the best piece of flying you’ve seen at Goodwood?
I was fortunate to be on site during the Battle of Britain fly-out last year. Watching those amazing aircraft take off throughout the morning was just amazing. It gave you a real sense of how busy the skies must have been during that time.