Dave Kember

This page is dedicated to the memory of David Kember who sadly left us in May 2017 at the age of just 59 years old.

David was retired Sergeant from Kent police. Having joined the police in July 1979 and served 30 years before retiring in July 2009 serving in Gravesend and Tunbridge Wells.

David joined the BPFA in 1994 and shortly after that he took the roll as Secretary until his retirement from the Police, so over 2 decades as secretary of the BPFA.

He attended and competed in all competitions up to the year he gave up flying and even after giving up flying he continued to drive all over the UK to the competitions just to be present as an observer. In his tenure he never missed an event.

A remarkable achievement for anyone and such commitment and dedication to the association will be nigh on impossible to emulate or replicate by anybody.

Dave's name adorns many trophies throughout the years for all the different competitions he participated in.

Aviation was the life blood of Dave and he was the life blood of the BPFA.

Because of David's love of aviation after retiring from the police and ill health he could no longer hold a PPL, he became a volunteer Air/Ground radio operator at Headcorn airfield in Kent where his voice became well known to thousands of visiting aircraft and a reassuring voice for home based aircraft as they knew they had made it safely home.

Dave was such a selfless, unassuming man who dedicated so much of his life to the association and the U.K GA community it was only right, the BPFA did something to mark what an incredible man he was.

After some discussions and meetings a new trophy for the existing "Furthest distance" pilot was commissioned. Some further meetings were arranged and with great astonishment, BAe (British Aerospace) came forward and having heard of Dave and his incredible service donated to the BPFA a real piece of glass from the HUD (head up display) of a Eurofighter Typhoon for free!

Just this piece of glass costs thousands of pounds alone!

The trophy was designed around the HUD glass to project the image of the logo just as in a real Eurofighter.

The "furthest distance" trophy was selected to remember Dave as the BPFA felt that was the most fitting trophy given Dave's commitment and dedication to the BPFA and the skill and tenacity he showed throughout his years is optimized in the trophy of fellow BPFA members who are willing to travel the furthest to events and show similar skill, dedication and airmanship in their flying endeavours like Dave did.

Dave left a great legacy and we feel the trophy is a fitting testament to a great man.

Blue skies and fair winds Dave.

The BPFA wishes to thank BAe Systems for their kind generosity in the assistance of helping make this trophy a reality.