Peter Barnes (pilot)
| Born | 1962 Nottingham |
|---|---|
| Died | 16 January 2013 London |
| Cause of death | Aircraft mid-air collision with a construction crane |
| Nationality | British |
| Aviation career | |
| Known for | Great North Air Ambulance Service rescue |
Peter Barnes (1962 – 16 January 2013) was a British commercial helicopter pilot. He was killed on 16 January 2013 when the AgustaWestland AW109 helicopter he was flying collided with a construction crane in central London.
Born in Nottingham, Barnes was educated at the independent Oakham School in Rutland, before attending the University of Derby to study business and marketing. He worked as a ski instructor following his graduation, before taking a position in the advertising industry. Taking up a role at Glenair Helicopters he was part of a team responsible for the inspection of power lines in Scotland and Northern Ireland. He joined RotorMotion as a contract pilot in 1997, working for them until 2011. During that time he provided traffic and travel news for the Newcastle-based radio station Metro FM, and piloted aircraft for the Great North Air Ambulance Service. As a rescue pilot he was honoured with an award for outstanding courage and skill for his part in the rescue of a motorist from a swollen river in 2004. During his career he was also employed by the organisers of the 2012 Summer Olympics, and played roles in monitoring both the America’s Cup yachting race and the F1 Powerboat World Championship.
As well as his role as a contract pilot, Barnes began to employ his aviation skills for filmwork, and started his own business which he named Helivision Ltd. His professional skills were utilised for a number of film and television productions, including Saving Private Ryan, Die Another Day, and for the BBC documentary series Coast. Based at the Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey he also undertook work for BBC News and Sky News, and was hired to fly a number of prominent people.
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