User:Harvey Milligan/Paul Quine

Stephen (Paul) Quine, is a Manx-born airline pilot who was in command of the final Manx Airlines flight. Paul Quine, is the son of (the late) Colin, and Catherine Quine (née Campbell) and was born in Douglas Isle of Man on January 17th 1969. Paul was educated on the Island attending Ballakermeen and Douglas High Schools.

Flying Career
Paul began flying in 1992, when he attained his Private Pilot's Licence at the Manx Flyers Aero Club, Ronaldsway Airport, Isle of Man. Showing an early aptitude for his vocation, Paul won the club's Student Pilot Trophy in 1992, the Navigation Trophy in 1993, and Pilot of the Year in 1994. After completion of his multi-engine rating, and a brief spell working at the Manx Flyers Aero Club as an instructor, Paul continued with his professional pilot’s studies. He attended the British Aerospace Flying College at Prestwick Airport, and upon graduation joined BAC Express as a First Officer flying the Shorts SD-360.

Manx Airlines
Paul joined Manx Airlines in December 1997, this time as a Second Officer flying the British Aerospace ATP. This was a time of rapid expansion for Manx Airlines which was then part of the British Regional Airlines Group, and Paul rose rapidly through the ranks, achieving First Officer and Senior First Officer before attaining the rank of Captain, in December 2000. Upon gaining his command, he was posted to Manchester for twelve months. Returning to the Isle of Man, Paul continued to operate the BAe ATP, until Manx Airlines ceased operations on 31 August 2002.

Manx Airlines Last Flight
Manx Airlines' last flight was planned to be flown by BAe 146 G-MIMA, from London (Gatwick) to Isle of Man Airport (Ronaldsway). However, due to technical problems, a sub-chartered aircraft was brought in to operate this service. Therefore, the honour of operating the last Manx Airlines flight (JE 818 Birmingham International to Ronaldsway) went to Captain Quine who was in command of ATP G-MANB, which landed at Ronaldsway at 20:10 GMT on Saturday 31 August 2002. The BRAL Group was bought out for about £72 million by British Airways, and Manx Airlines ceased to exist. After the acquisition, Paul found himself once more posted to Manchester, this time to operate the Avro RJ100 for British Airways, operating to many European destinations. Upon the re-organisation of British Airways' regional operations, Paul transferred fleets to take command of the Dash-8 Q-300 and continued to operate from Manchester.

Flybe
On 3 November 2006, British Airways chief executive, Willie Walsh, said that he had reached an agreement for Flybe to acquire British Airways' regional subsidiary, BA Connect. Flybe assumed the majority of the British Airways routes operated by BA Connect, and proceeded to introduce its Dash8 Q-400 onto these routes. Paul Quine was amongst the first of the ex-BA Connect pilots to undergo the conversion course onto the new aircraft type at Farnborough Aerodrome, Hampshire. As Flybe continued to re-organise the route structure which it had inherited, Paul achieved a posting back to the Isle of Man.

A further restructure of Flybe occurred in 2014, part of which saw the closure of the Isle of Man Base. As a consequence Paul was posted to Flybe's base at Belfast where he operated for 14 months. In the summer of 2015 he was again posted to Manchester where he continues to operate the Dash-8 Q-400 on various Flybe routes.

Personal life
Paul lives with his partner, Karen, on Bray Hill, Douglas, Isle of Man. He is an avid supporter of Liverpool FC and Dundalk Football Club