We are delighted to announce that Dave Mackay, the first Scottish Astronaut, has become an Ambassador for Aero Space Kinross.

Born in Thurso, Dave studied aeronautical engineering at Glasgow University and learned to fly there with the University Air Squadron. After graduating, he joined the Royal Air Force where he flew Harrier jets in Germany.  Dave completed his service in the RAF as Principal Fixed Wing Tutor at the Empire Test Pilots School at Boscombe Down before joining Virgin Atlantic and becoming a captain on the Boeing 747 and, later, the Airbus 340.

Dave became Virgin Galactic’s Chief Test Pilot in 2005, and Chief Pilot in 2011. He flew Spaceship Unity to space three times and led the Flight Operations team in an historic run of spaceflights prior to his retirement in 2024.

Although based in New Mexico, Dave is very proud of his Scottish roots and is regularly in the UK in the role of aerospace consultant and advisor.  He is keen to support us fulfil our plans for the creation of an aerospace discovery centre in Kinross, which he describes as “an important and exciting project”.