Jordan is breaking records
Jordan Johnson joined Bidford Gliding and Flying club as a 21 year old. The club has a strong junior section and quickly saw his natural talent and supported him in many ways.
He began to get recognition shortly afterwards at national level and at this year’s British Gliding Association Annual Awards Dinner 4 years later, he achieved something no other pilot has achieved in the UK by winning 5 national awards.
Janine Hornsby, CEO of The Air League, was presenting the awards this yeat. The Air League, one of the UK’s oldest and foremost aviation charities, appointed Janine Hornsby as its new Chief Executive, marking a key moment in its mission to inspire and develop the next generation of aviation and aerospace talent.
Janine and Jordan
The awards Jordan won were:
Enterprise Trophy
For his 11‑hour, 750km flight from Bidford, using 150km of ridge lift and 600km of thermals across southern England to Dover and back West. From Dover Jordan saw France across the Channel - Jordan wisely left that adventure for another day. As the day weakened, the last warmth on the West‑facing Cotswold ridge kept him airborne long enough to continue North before a planned field landing near Broadway.
Furlong Trophy
For flying the largest handicapped triangle ever flown in the UK of over 800km, which also became the highest‑scoring cross‑country flight in BGA Ladder history.
Enigma Trophy
For winning the UK National Open Ladder with the highest points total ever recorded, becoming the first junior pilot in UK history to do so. One of the scoring flights was a 500km triangle in a two‑seat Janus while coaching a student, which made it especially meaningful.
Spitfire Trophy
Best junior pilot (U25)
Pure Soar Trophy
Highest‑performing non‑motor glider pilot in the UK
Now his focus is on giving back to the sport that he loves. Jordan has been awarded a bursary from The Royal Air Squadron which he is extremley forever grateful for. This will help him progress from a Basic Instructor to a full Flight Instructor, where he would manage airfield operations, teach students and support the next generation of pilots.
Bidford also had another young pilot pick up an award that night
Freddie Turner received the BGA’s ‘Wakefield Trophy’ for the Longest Handicapped Distance flight flown last year. At the age of 26, Freddie is also the youngest UK pilot to have flown a 1000km.
Peter Turner (left), a proud dad with his son Freddie (right) at the BGA National Awards dinner