New BBMF Lancaster captain for 2022

Header image: Flt Lt Paul ‘Ernie’ Wise has flown with the BBMF since 2018. (Photo: Lisa Harding)

Flight Lieutenant Paul ‘Ernie’ Wise will train as a new Lancaster captain with the BBMF for the 2022 display season. He started flying with the BBMF as a Dakota captain in 2018 and then became a Lancaster co-pilot. In his RAF primary duties Ernie flew the C-130 Hercules for many years and is now a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) with 45 Squadron at Cranwell, flying the Embraer Phenom T1 multi-engine training aircraft, training the next generation of RAF multi-engine pilots and crew. All of the BBMF Bomber Pilots have primary duties elsewhere in the RAF and fly with the BBMF as volunteers.

Ernie will be joining the BBMF’s two experienced Lancaster captains and QFIs, Flight Lieutenants Seb Davey and Neil ‘Faz’ Farrell, who will both continue to skipper the ‘Lanc’ during the 2022 display season, providing their many years of valuable experience with the Lancaster to the Flight, as well as training Paul and new Lancaster co-pilots for their latest roles.

Congratulations to Ernie on his selection as a Lancaster captain, which is both an honour and a heavy responsibility.