The Learning Never Stops: David Barrell Shares 20 Years of Experience with the Next Generation
For anyone who has been wingwalking with us or watched an AeroSuperBatics display, David Barrell is a familiar sight in the cockpit of our iconic 1940s Boeing Stearman biplane, guiding the aircraft through graceful manoeuvres while a wingwalker dances on the wings above.
In 2026, David celebrates his 20th year as a Display Pilot with AeroSuperBatics – but this season marks another milestone in his aviation journey. After lots of dedication, exams and training, David has just passed his Flying Instructor course.
David holds both a UK Commercial Pilot’s Licence and an American FAA Commercial Pilot’s Licence, but becoming an instructor was never about collecting qualifications. For him, it’s about something deeper.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do as my experience has increased,” he explains.
“I think it’s important to inspire the next generation of pilots and give back some of my lived experience.”
His own flying journey began at Cambridge Airport with Marshalls Aerospace, where he trained in the classic Cessna 152 under the guidance of former RAF pilot Daz James.
James, who had flown Harriers and served as a Hercules test pilot, left a lasting impression.
“He gave me so much inspiration” David recalls.
“Lots of advice and techniques that I still use to this day – things I’ll be passing on to the next generation”
The path to becoming an instructor was far from easy. Among the 13 demanding ATPL exams, two stood out as particularly tough: Flight Planning and Monitoring, and General Navigation. Both required mastering complex procedures and equations under tight time limits. But perseverance paid off.
Balancing intense study with life as an international display pilot created an unusual rhythm. One week might involve revising air law and navigation theory; the next, performing in front of thousands at an airshow somewhere in the world.
Over the past 20 years David has displayed in more than 20 countries and flown over 8,000 public wingwalkers, so he’s no stranger to pressure – but he found the challenge enjoyable.
When he finally completed his six-hour instructor test and was told he’d passed, the feeling was immediate “A massive sense of elation” he says.
“It was the culmination of a great deal of hard work”
The first person he called was his wife, Diana, whom he describes as “a rock” throughout the process.
Despite the new qualification, David remains characteristically modest. He doesn’t see it as a reinvention, but rather a natural progression – another step in a lifelong journey in aviation.
Whether leading a wingwalking formation in front of a crowd or guiding a student pilot through their first lessons, one thing remains true:
The learning never stops
