31 FlightCom Magazine
Industry Update
oWenheckRathA MAGIC VETERAN
T
HE initiative forms
part of British Airways’
commitment to 100 acts of
kindness across the world
as part of its #BAMagic100
campaign, to celebrate its
centenary this year.
Born in Hove in 1923, Frank grew up on
the Sussex coast and joined the Royal Air
Force in 1941, quickly rising to the role of
Flight Lieutenant. In the Royal Air Force
he flew the De Havilland Mosquito on long
range reconnaissance over Germany during
World War II. It was a risky job recalls
Frank: “In 1944, I lost a good friend of
mine who also happened to be my navigator
when our plane was shot down in Münster
along the western edge of Germany near the
Krupp armament factory. It all happened so
quickly. One minute I was in the plane at
28,000 feet and the next moment I was in
the fresh air,” he said. Frank survived this
parachute escape and was captured as a
prisoner of war. He says; “When my time
came to be released, there was no job for
me in the air force, so I started with British
European Airways. It was amazing to see
how much pre-war flying and training
came into the category of what we were
doing then. It was a great privilege to work
for British European Airways and now,
an incredibly proud moment to help them
celebrate their 100th birthday and be back
in the cockpit again.”
Frank flew with British Airways for
thirty years between 1946 and 1976,
clocking up millions of miles and even
carrying some well-known faces including
r oya lt y.
Reba Hatcher manages Bupa St. Ivescare home in Sydney and says flying had
been a major part of Frank’s life and has
created many interesting conversations
within the home. “Frank is such an inspiring
role model to me, the staff, residents and
visitors. It’s so important for us as carers
to celebrate the lives and achievements of
our residents and to shine the spotlight onwhat makes them so unique,” Ms Hatcher
said. She got in touch with British Airways,
who picked up the idea as part of their
#BAMagic100 campaign. With the two
companies working together to arrange
the visit, Frank soon donned suit and tie to
meet pilots aboard a Boeing 777 at Sydney
airport.Reflecting on the day he said: “It’s been
over 30 years since I was last in the cockpit,
and I never thought I’d be here again.
While the technology has changed, there
are so many things that have stayed the
same, and it’s brought back some wonderful
memories.”Former RAF pilot Frank Dell, 96, in his younger years, was flying high
over Germany in World War II, before joining British Airways as a
commercial pilot. Now, 45 years after his retirement Frank has ventured
back into the flight deck of an aircraft.
BELOW: Frank Dell back in the
Captain's seat after 45 years.