About Brian Cosgrove

(authour of Microlight Pilot's Handbook)

From designing, building and flying model aircraft in the 1930s through service with the Air Defence Cadet Corps, Air Training Corps, and Royal Air Force in the 1940s, Brian Cosgrove has always had an affinity for aeroplanes since a first flight at the age of seven.

1942 saw his involvement as a pupil in the opening days of ATC gliding where solo training in open primary types was the norm � shades of the earlier types of microlights to come 40 years later.

After wartime service with the RAF in the UK and Far East as a meteorologist on the ground and in the air, the early post-war years were spent as a gliding instructor culminating in an RAF �A� Star Category in both solo and dual methods of training.

Having been involved with microlights in 1979, he predicted that total freedom for microlighting would be short-lived, and work began on ideas for the inevitable control to come. Reading matter for ground studies appeared in the form of Ultra Light Aircraft and the Air, followed by Microlight Aircraft and the Air when the aircraft name was later changed to meet with impending CAA legislation.

By then a BMAA Council member, a start was made on preparing future pilot licence examinations specific to microlights. These were accepted by the CAA and a rapport was established which was to grow over future years.

In 1983, now in a full-time role with the BMAA, and a few months later its chief executive, negotiations continued with the CAA on many aspects of pilot licensing and instructor rating. Also, airworthiness procedures were set up and safeguards put in place for existing aeroplanes threatened with grounding by airworthiness standards yet to be introduced.

After retirement in May 1983 he became an independent consultant with the BMAA, among other clients, particularly on site planning matters.

Brian was awarded the Ashley Doubtfire Trophy in 1985 for Services to Microlight Aviation, and in 1990 was elected a Freeman of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators. In 1993 came election as a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society and the award of an MBE in the Queen�s Birthday Honours List.

In 2002 he received a Royal Aero Club Silver Medal.