Our Team

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David Owen

Director & Owner

David Owen acquired a significant part of Turweston Aerodrome in 1989, when the site was little more than an abandoned WWII airfield with a small gliding club.

Driven by vision, determination, and a passion for aviation, he set out to re-establish Turweston as a premier General Aviation (GA) aerodrome. By 1993, his efforts were rewarded with the necessary approvals to reopen the airfield.

Under David’s leadership, Turweston has undergone remarkable transformation — evolving into the thriving, modern, and scenic airfield we are proud to operate today.

David Owen

Chris Brown

Aerodrome Manager

Chris started his aviation career at Oxford Airport in 1981 and has presided over aviation operations at Turweston since 1994. Under his management the aerodrome has developed into a thriving aviation community and is widely recognised as one of the premier GA airfields in the UK.

He leads a knowledgeable and enthusiastic team who are committed to providing safe operations and superior customer service.

Chris holds PPL and Radio Operator’s Certificate of Competence (ROCC) licences and is a qualified First-Aider.

Chris’ longevity makes his knowledge about the Aerodrome, its community and its operations invaluable.

Gary Loveday

Operations

A lifelong aviation enthusiast, Gary attended his first airshow before he was even born!

He began volunteering at Turweston as a marshaller in 1998, combining his love for aviation and photography before joining the team full time in 2017.

Today, Gary supports Chris Brown in managing airside operations and refuelling, playing a vital role in keeping the airfield running smoothly and safely. He also acts as airfield archivist, historian, and occasional tour guide.

Gary Loveday
Ricky Delve

Ricky Delve

Operations

An aerodrome stalwart, Ricky has been helping us since 2002. Although his assistance is predominantly with Tower operations, Ricky is also our go-to person for anything technical and is vital to keeping various software packages updated.

Like Chris, he has a lot of experience with the Aerodrome and its operations, and is always happy to help.

Phillip Hayward

Operations

Phillip joined the team in early 2019 and is another vital member of our weekend and event staff.

He has a PPL and has kept his plane at Turweston since 2008.  Since retiring in 2018 he has been a volunteer at a number of aviation events including Farnborough and Duxford and is delighted to be part of the team at his home airfield.

Phillip works mostly on Sundays and on event and other days as needed.

Phillip Hayward

Liam Leys

Operations

Liam joined Turweston Flight Centre in 2024, bringing extensive experience in airfield management and aviation operations. After earning his Private Pilot Licence (PPL) in 2017 and qualifying as a Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) at Blackbushe, he refined his skills at several UK airfields, including Fenland, Shobdon, and Blackbushe.

Liam previously served as Aerodrome Manager at Sywell, where he honed his leadership and operational expertise. In 2025, he became a CAA-authorised ROCC Examiner, further demonstrating his professional competence and commitment to aviation standards.

At Turweston, Liam works alongside the rest of the operations and refuelling team.

Tanya Coles

Business Manager

Since joining Turweston in 2004, Tanya has been the go-to contact for everything non-aircraft related — including events, venue hire, filming, photography, customer service, and bookings during the British Grand Prix period.

With her extensive experience and attention to detail, Tanya ensures that every visitor and event gets her full attention.

Tanya Coles
Tanya Egan

Tanya Egan

Accounts

Tanya Egan joined the Turweston team in 2014 and manages all accounting and bookkeeping functions for the company. Her expertise keeps our financial operations organised and efficient.

Tanya typically works in the office two days a week, providing essential support to the business behind the scenes.

Sophie Loveday

Cafe Manager

Sophie joined the café team in 2018, taking on the role of Manager at the start of 2022, but her involvement with the airfield goes back much further as she has been an aircraft marshal for various events here since around 2013.

Our café can be very busy and demanding and Sophie’s calm manner under pressure keeps the operation running smoothly. She is always open to new ideas and willing to try different recipes and approaches to keep the café offering fresh and interesting. This includes catering for events or special occasions, so do contact Sophie if you have a special request.

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