A BIG-HEARTED pilot lifted spirits in Worcestershire by creating a smiley face in the skies using his plane's vapour trail.
Captain Richard Goodwin helped banish the lockdown blues after a torrid year for many by creating the giant smiley face in blue skies over Worcestershire on Easter Sunday using a plane he built himself.
The 58-year-old former RAF Tornado pilot, who is passionate about modifying, building and displaying biplanes, could not resist the chance to climb in the cockpit on a beautiful day to bring a smile to our faces.
The father-of-five flew at 10,000 feet over Worcestershire in his aerobatic biplane (a Pitts S2S) to create the beaming face which had a 1,800 metre diameter and was visible from across the county.
The furloughed TUI captain, who is eager to fly people on their holidays as soon as restrictions are lifted, said: "I was trying to cheer people up a bit really.
"We are so close to the end now."
Mr Goodwin also regularly assists a charity called Fly2Help which gives people the chance to enjoy aviation experiences. His mission to lift spirits clearly worked.
The pilot, sponsored by Anana, retweeted a number of messages and photos featuring photos of the smiley face.
One Tweet read: "Happy Easter to you too!"
Another observer, who tagged Mr Goodwin, wrote: "An Easter smiley, much appreciated over Worcestershire!"
The airman created a smiley face and a heart in the sky on Bank Holiday Monday after the restrictions were lifted on recreational flying a week before.
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