Episode 28 – Bernie Lewis – Test Pilot

Guest: Bernie Lewis

Host: Dave Homewood

Duration: 53 minutes, 10 seconds
Recorded: July 2010

Topic:. Bernie Lewis joined the Royal Air Force in 1950 and served as a jet fighter pilot on Vampires and Sabres before becoming an instructor. He was then selected to attend the Empire Test Pilots School, one of ten New Zealanders to have this honour. Once a qualified fixed wing and helicopter test pilot Bernie worked at RAF Boscome Down, before leaving the RAF and continuing to test and develop aviation projects through the 1960’s with Bristol Siddeley and Rolls Royce. Since leaving Rolls Royce he has flown aerial survey and helicopter ag work in New Zealand, worked with NZ Civil Aviation Authority, and been the personal helicopter pilot to the Faye Richwite corporation. Today he lives in retirement in Whangarei.

7 comments to Episode 28 – Bernie Lewis – Test Pilot

  • Eileen Hacker

    Do you have a contact address for Berni and his wife Deci , they were old friends but we now have lost contact. His son ,I believe has a flying school in NZ ? thank you.

  • Eileen Hacker

    please email me .

  • Lachie

    Eileen did you find Bernie and Decis address email me if not
    Lachierice@hotmail.com

    Ps sadly Deci died two days ago

  • Lachie Rice

    Hello Eillen
    I am a friend of Bernies and see him weekly. Please email me for his details.
    Lachierice@hotmail.com

  • Jack Bush

    That was an interesting talk by Bernie Lewis, thank you for the opportunity. I notice that he worked at RAF Boscombe Down, where I did a tour before being posted over to Aden, I may have bumped into him if he was on he RAF side, but there was also a civilian side in the same hangar, walled off across the middle I seem to remember, and a section over the other side of the field, where I was seconded briefly whilst on that camp.
    Being ground crew, I was on the meteors, the hunter and the two choppers, a Sikorsky Dragonfly and a Bristol Sicamore. I think both were written off by one or other pilots whilst I was there. Not sure if Bernie mentioned the TSR-2’s that were down there, but they were scrapped by Wilson and disposed of at Boscombe.
    Well thanks again for the talk. Dinner calls.

  • What are the risks while being a test pilot?

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