Members will have heard the sad news that John Farley, our friend, colleague and test pilot, died peacefully on 13th June, aged 85.
    John’s career in aeronautics started when he became a student apprentice at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough. On completion he joined the RAF flying Hunters with No.4 squadron and instructing at the Central Flying School.
    After graduating from the Empire Test Pilots School and flying a wide variety of experimental aircraft in Aero Flight at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Bedford, including the P.1127 and the Short SC1, John joined Hawker Siddeley at Dunsfold in 1967, becoming Deputy Chief Test Pilot in 1971 and Chief Test Pilot in 1978. He worked closely with the design organisation, in particular with John Fozard on the Sea Harrier.

John Frederick Farley 
OBE, AFC, CEng, Hon DTech, Hon DEng - 1933 to 2018

Toptop top

Retiring from test flying with British Aerospace on his 50th birthday in 1983, he became the Manager of Dunsfold Aerodrome where he was responsible for developing and modernising the facilities. He left British Aerospace in 1990 to be a freelance test pilot, retiring from test flying in 1999.

Retiring from test flying with British Aerospace on his 50th birthday in 1983, he became the Manager of Dunsfold Aerodrome where he was responsible for developing and modernising the facilities. He left British Aerospace in 1990 to be a freelance test pilot retiring from test flying in 1999.
    A great proponent of engineering education John founded the Schools’ Aerospace Challenge which developed to include the Aerospace Summer School at Cranfield University.

He was elected President of the Association of Aerospace Universities in 2009 and received honorary doctorates in engineering and technology.

In addition, numerous professional bodies including the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators, the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Air League and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, presented him with their most important medals and awards.

John received a Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in 1970 and was appointed OBE in 1980.
    He was a frequent contributor to aviation journals and magazines and appeared in several TV programmes, usually featuring the Harrier. His remarkable autobiographical memoir, A View from the Hover – My Life in Aviation, was published in 2008.

John was a keen supporter of the Hawker Association giving numerous talks, often at short notice, and writing articles for this Newsletter.
    Those of us who were fortunate enough to have been associated with John professionally or socially will remember him as a likeable, softly spoken, clear thinking man with the gift of explaining complex matters to the layman as well as to colleagues. We will miss him and send our very best wishes to his widow Adele and his family.