A BARRY author is hoping his 15th book – about the history of Cardiff Airport – will fly off the shelves!

Geoff Jones spent 18 months writing ‘Cardiff Airport at Rhoose: 70 Years of Aviation History’, and is hoping the book will prove popular among aviation enthusiasts and people with an interest in the history of the local airport. "I grew up on Pontypridd Road and the airport was almost in our back yard," he said.

"From an early age I used to see planes fly over and it was an incredible sight.

"I became interested when I was old enough to go out and cycle down to the airport. Some people become fascinated by trains and steam engines – but it was always planes with me."

The 62-year-old went on to learn to fly at Cardiff Airport, and currently owns a quarter share of an airplane with three other people.

"It’s a very expensive hobby and I’m strictly a fair-weather flyer!" said Geoff, who moved to Guernsey in 1983.

"It’s ironic that having written a book about Cardiff Airport, I can’t fly directly from Guernsey to Cardiff, but I have to fly to Bristol."

The book is not just about aircraft, but also takes in the political and social history of the airport.

"It looks at everything that has happened of national and international importance," explained Geoff.

"People who have used the airport include Nelson Mandela, Luciano Pavarotti and Princess Diana. Royalty have used it very regularly.

"Sport is a big part of the book too, as the airport has been used by aircraft for all sorts of sporting events.

"The bar in the terminal building was called The Scrum Half and Gareth Edwards officially opened it in 1998. I asked him to write the foreword and you couldn’t meet a nicer man."

Cardiff Airport began life as wartime satellite airfield RAF Rhoose, officially opening on April 7, 1942.

Used by a mix of international airlines, the airport has been continually upgraded since civilian flying began in 1952.

Former Romilly Primary pupil Geoff added that the most challenging part of the book was looking into the wartime history of Cardiff Airport.

"It was difficult as there is not a lot of information about the place back then," he said.

"I did manage to get a lot of pictures from a colleague though."

The book includes a timeline of major events; demonstrates the importance of Cardiff Airport in a worldwide context; illustrates how vital the world-class facilities at Rhoose are in relation to the economy of the area and the region; and is packed with previously unpublished photographs and memories.

Copies of the book, priced £16.99, are available from www.thehistorypress.co.uk and www.amazon.co.uk