A HIGH-flying father and son team from Kenilworth made history when they took to the skies together.
Captain David Kempton, 54, and his son 19 year-old Alex, co-piloted a Norwegian Airline flight from Tenerife to Birmingham last Sunday (June 18) – which was equally special as it also happened to be Father’s Day.
It was the first time the airline has ever had a father and son team piloting a plane together, making the four-and-a-half hour flight a milestone in its 15 year history.
The pair carried 180 passengers on a brand-new multi-million pound Boeing 737.
Dad David, who has more than 30 years of flying experience and has piloted private jets for famous faces including Paul McCartney, added: “I have always been fascinated with flying and have encouraged Alex to share my aviation passion at every opportunity.
“It is truly an honour to take to the skies and share the cockpit with my son.”
And son Alex – who became the airline’s youngest pilot last September after just two years in flight school – enjoyed the experience just as much.
He said: “Flying a brand-new aircraft is daunting but very exciting.
“The experience was particularly special because we flew into Birmingham Airport, which is where my dad spent his whole career before joining Norwegian.”
The duo share many hobbies beyond the cockpit, including fishing, playing rugby, golf and the piano.
And it seems a fascination with aviation really does run in the family, as Alex’s older sister is a crew member for another airline and is also married to a pilot.
