A man from Kirkwall has marked an impressive 37 years of service with one of the islands lifeline transport providers, Loganair.

Stuart Linklater, from Kirkwall, had his first experience of aviation at an early age, when he took his first life-changing journey as a Loganair passenger on one of the airline’s Britten Norman Islander aircraft in 1972.

Stuart said: “I first flew in the Islander as a passenger with Captain Jamie Baillie in 1972, just five years after Loganair spread its wings in Orkney. I was so mesmerised by the whole experience that it sparked a passion in me and ultimately formed my career from there on out.”

That moment sparked a lifelong passion for flying, which resulted in Stuart taking to the controls of the Islander himself, on which he piloted locals and tourists to and from the Orkney Islands for more than 25 years.

The significant employment achievement is being recognised by Loganair as it celebrates its 63rd year in operation, highlighting Stuart as an integral member of its team for over half of its existence.

Stuart’s aviation career began in the 1980s when he joined Loganair as a young, eager first officer flying the Shorts 360. Reflecting on his early years, Stuart recalls: “I started as a brand-new first officer on the Shorts 360. The Shorts was the mainstay of our operation and was a relatively new aircraft at the time, serving much of the country and all of Scotland as we still do. We are more sophisticated now and the Shorts has long gone, replaced by much more modern aircraft.

“But flying is still just flying, and it’s the love of flying that has sustained me and what has kept me at Loganair for such a long time.”

Stuart’s story is not just one of professional achievement, but a personal journey driven by a passion for aviation and a commitment to serving his community.

“The island communities depend so much on the lifeline air services which are often run under very challenging conditions of weather and logistics, but always with a commitment to providing a personal service to our passengers who use the service regularly and rely on it for various reasons,” Stuart said.

“Pilots are inevitably at the forefront of delivering that service, and it’s always been an honour and a privilege to be part of something that really is integral to the people, wellbeing and connectivity of the islands communities."

Stuart evolved his career with the regional airline provider and now holds the position of training captain based in Kirkwall, Orkney. He takes great pride in helping new pilots develop their skills and ensuring that Loganair’s legacy of quality, personalised service for the people of Orkney will continue for years to come.

“Aside from flying, my role now includes training young, enthusiastic pilots eager to start their careers with Loganair. It's incredibly rewarding to teach essential skills, such as precise hand-flying techniques, which are still widely used on many of our routes today, along with key commercial flying practices.”

As Loganair looks toward the future, it’s clear that Stuart’s story is not just one of longevity but of continued passion and commitment to both aviation and the communities Loganair serves.

His 37 years with the airline are a remarkable achievement, but his journey is far from over: with the airline’s continued growth and his ongoing role in training the next generation of pilots, Stuart is helping to shape the future of aviation, just as he has shaped Loganair’s rich history.

He said: “I only recently learned that I’ve been employed with Loganair for longer than anybody in the company which I was shocked by! I’m proud to have 37 years under my belt and I’ll definitely be around for a while yet!”

For further information about careers at Loganair visit: Build a career with Scotland's airline? | Loganair.