James Gilbert

A great loss. Though he may be known in the UK for Pilot and his fine books, he will be best known to many American readers as a writer/editor for the American general aviation magazine Flying.

His features and pilot reports from the “glory days” of American light aviation were always a joy to read. His knowledge and opinions were matched by a fine and witty writing style too often missing from “technical ” publications.

I too am a fan of his book The Great Planes…and have often quoted from it in this forum. I had the honor of meeting him once. Shortly before I left my assignment at RAF Bent waters we hosted our annual airshow. I was thirlled to receive a personal call from him asking for press passes. On the day I sought him out in the media enclosure to tell him how much I enjoyed his work. He seemed surprized and pleased that I remembered ancient works published in Flying. He also said the success on both sides of the Atlantic of Great Planes book was a suprise and its financial rewards were a real benefit while he was working to start Pilot. Unfortunatly, my copy of the bookwas already packed for shipment back to the states so it remains unsigned.

RIP James…

A great loss.

A larger than life character, who, despite people focussing on his often robust opinions, was one of the few who could really WRITE, which is what mattered. I was always keen to read an article by him and his books “The Great Planes” and “The World’s Worst Aircraft” are very readable and insightful – one might not agree with him, but he was always worth listening to.

As an editor, he was also good at spotting and encouraging talent. Mike Jerram and Phillip Whiteman were at least two others I can think of who made Pilot a very readable magazine for a non-pilot like me.

A lager than life character, but with real talent too – both aerobatic and with a pen.

James Gilbert owned the Jungmeister G-AYSJ for quite a few years in the 70s & 80s, the aircraft is now operated by the Fighter Collection at Duxford. I think G-AXMT was owned by Spencer Flack

Sad news indeed

His absence from the helm of his magazine ‘Pilot’ became very evident very quickly, after he sold the title three years ago. He stamped his own robust, generally un-PC character upon it, and in the pre-internet era, it was THE place for GA gossip, news etc, as well as a very strong vintage content, and flight tests. He also operated his own Bucker Jungmeister G-AXMT in the 1970’s.

The new owners have managed to alienate the bulk of the readership in a remarkably short time, despite the creditable (but brief) editorial input from Phillip Whiteman.
It is traditional to say how much an individual will be missed, but James Gilbert has already been missed for a couple of years, and his magazine informed and inspired for three decades.