Former Edinburgh Airport base commander retires after high-flying career
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A Scottish pilot who safely delivered countless air passengers to sun-kissed destinations has hung up his captain's hat.
On Thursday, June 26, 60-year-old Duncan Munro retired from the captain's chair after decades of dedicated service to budget-friendly airline, Ryanair, reports The Daily Record.
Duncan, who has served as both a pilot and base captain at Edinburgh Airport over the years, has flown for more than 20 years. Often in and out of Prestwick Airport, his most regular route was the run to Malaga and back.
But on Thursday, he took charge of his final Boeing 737 flight back from Spain, as he prepares to settle into a more 'grounded' lifestyle.
And Duncan got the perfect welcome back as he touched down on the Prestwick tarmac - a water cannon salute from his ground colleagues.
Proud dad Harry said: 'Duncan's last day at work was Thursday, June 26 and he landed from Malaga early afternoon.
'On June 20, 2001, the Ayrshire Post actually published an article about my son, who had just been engaged as a pilot for Ryanair, operating from Prestwick Airport.
'He is now about to retire and his last flight was 26 June, landing at Prestwick.
'Duncan rose through the ranks of Ryanair to captain, training captain and base commander at both Glasgow and Edinburgh. He also had a spell with Norwegian Air flying transatlantic.
'He was also a simulator instructor at Gatwick. In addition, he maintains his RAF connection in Glasgow.'
Former Belmont Academy pupil Duncan took his first steps on his fascinating career journey when he studied General Science at Strathclyde University in 1982.
Duncan then joined the RAF, rising to officer in the RAF Regiment and taking his Masters Degree at Glasgow University.
A career in computing then followed, which led him to London and Singapore - before he gained his commercial pilot's licence.
Duncan eventually progressed to captain one of the Ryanair fleet - and he's been loving his job ever since.
And in a pleasant surprise to Duncan, wife Jane and son Fergus, flew out to Malaga on Wednesday - so they could enjoy his last flight home from Spain the following day.
Fergus said: 'It all went really well. I gave him a call before we got on the flight home and asked him if he'd welcome us on as VIP's!
'It was definitely an emotional day and I think it only hit him when we landed and he was carrying out his final shutdown. Then he realised it was all over.'
Duncan's life in aviation isn't quite over however; he's going to be the Deputy Chief Flying Instructor at Acron, based at Gatwick, where he'll put the next generation of airline pilots through their paces in their state-of-the-art flight simulators.
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