Stirling Flying Syndicate history. The group takes its name from Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Archibald David Stirling, DSO, OBE who founded the British Army’s Special Air Service Regiment in the Western Desert in World War Two. The group’s founder was a serving member of this regiment with some of his work mates. With just about 100 hrs flying experience in the logbook, the aircraft was purchased from Swanton Morley, East Anglia on 14^th April 1984 from Adrian Leslie Hall-Carpenter. PA28, G-ATON was collected using PA28 G-ATOR where the two aircraft flew back to Shobdon in formation. Back then, G-ATON was in a red and white colour scheme. Whilst original syndicate members were all serving in the military, this soon gave away to civilian membership.

Back then, buying an aircraft was a bold move given the nature of military postings. Also, online booking systems were not a thing so ringing around to book the aircraft would have been commonplace. The group entirely comprises civilian members nowadays.