Dancing the Skies

Dancing the Skies is an autobiographical accoount by former RAF pilot David Roome.

It records the flying career of RAF Group Captain David Roome who joined the RAF aged 18 as a pilot.

He flew the supersonic Lightning with 74 (Tiger) Squadron in Singapore until the eventual final withdrawal of UK armed forces in the year 1971.

He then took up a role as a trainer on the Folland Gnat for three years. After this he spent tours on the F-4 Phantom whilst flying with the RAF's Central Flying School's Advanced Squadron of Examining Wing.

His next tour of duty was as a member of the RAF's Tactical Evaluation Team, which was responsible for making assessments of the readiness of all RAF front-line stations and units for action, including war.

His next posting was to the HQ of the RAF's UK fighter force. After a short time there he was given command of a squadron of Phantom jets.

He returned to a staff position of No 11 (Fighter Group)  and in 1990 he became responsible for the detailed planning for the flypast of 168 aircraft over London on 15 September 1990 as a key part of the commemorations of the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. It was for this vital role that he was appointed OBE.

He next returned to the world of training in 1994, he eventually was made responsible for the day-to-day operations of all RAF flight training.

But that wasn't all that he did. He also became qualified in flying all of the RAF's fighter jets (all save two, the Javelin and the Swift)  and he flew and he displayed the RAF's historic jets. A role that he loved, naturally.

But that's not the end of his extraordinary story, including exactly what he said that startled an army cook in RAF Tengah, Singapore.

It's a fantastic, well written (and beautifully illustrated) memoir which is a must have Christmas present for the aircraft fan in your life.

It's published by The Book Guild at £12.99.