Rick Peacock-Edwards was educated in South Africa from where he joined the RAF in 1965. He spent over 30 years in the RAF and retired as an Air Commodore in 1999. RAF appointments included Station Commander RAF Leeming, Deputy Commander RAF Staff Washington, Inspector of Flight Safety and Director of Eurofighter.
The son of a Battle of Britain pilot, his flying career has been spent mainly on fighters and he has over 1000 hours on each of the Lightning, Phantom and Tornado. He also has over 1000 hours on the Gnat and has flown many other types including the Hawk and Hunter. He introduced the Tornado F2/3 into RAF service and commanded the first squadron. He lead the flypast for the Queens 60th Birthday and also the opening of the 1986 Commonwealth Games.
Whilst Rick has had an involvement in display flying on a number of aircraft he will be best remembered as the Tornado element in the unique Tornado F3/Spitfire display combo in the mid 1980s. He is actively involved with the supervision of air displays and in this capacity he is currently Chairman of the Imperial War Museum Duxford Flying Control Committee (FCC). He is also a member of the FCCs for Farnborough, RIAT Fairford, Biggin Hill and Dawlish Air Displays.
On leaving the RAF, Rick first joined General Dynamics UK as Director of Government Relations/Military Advisors and for the last few years he has been Managing Director of Vector Flying Training Services. Awarded the AFC in 1987, and appointed Commander of the British Empire in 1993, he is a Past Master of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators.