Orkney pilot lands role in Oscar-tipped The Outrun

Pilot Colin McAllister with the Loganair plane he flew to transport the film stars and crew – and he even made a scene in the movie.

The pilot of a tiny Scots island-hopper is still coming down to earth after landing an appearance in a hit movie that is being tipped for an Oscar.

Orkney-based Colin McAllister, who flies the world’s shortest route – from Westray to Papa Westray – landed the surprise role in The Outrun after transporting the cast, including its lead Hollywood star Saoirse Ronan, around during filming.

“I was flying everyone about and then they asked if I would like to be in the movie,” McAllister, 59, said. “I couldn’t believe it when a scene showing me in the cockpit piloting the plane made the final cut.

“It is a very brief appearance but is something that I will always treasure. However, for me, the real star of the film is my plane. I have been flying it for 20 years and I love it.”

He added: “Saoirse and her co-stars like Saskia Reeves couldn’t have been more down to earth, friendly and helpful throughout.

“They made me feel very welcome.”

The Outrun

The Outrun tells the story of an alcoholic called Rona who retreats to the Orkney Islands to rebuild her life after losing everything. It is based on the memoirs of its best-selling author, Scots journalist Amy Liptrot, who was raised on a farm on the islands and had returned there to rehabilitate after she had developed a serious drinking problem while living in London.

Loganair pilot Colin McAllister, centre, stands next to actress Saoirse Ronan during production of the new film.

McAllister recalled that a decade ago, he also flew Liptrot around while she was researching her book.

“I had no idea that 10 years later I would be in a movie based on the work she was doing at the time, so it has been a full-circle moment for me. It is a bit like life imitating art.”

The dad of two, who learned to operate small planes in New Zealand and Africa, is unlikely to fly himself into any more movies though as he is due to retire next year, when he turns 60. He said his own personal record for piloting the world-famous brief flight between the two Orkney islands in his 10-seat Britten-Norman Islander is 58 seconds.

“The flight is timetabled to last for two minutes but it usually takes less than that,” he said. “I will be sad when I retire because I’ve done thousands of hours in those Islander planes and I still love the job.”

McAllister – who attended the recent premiere of The Outrun in Kirkwall – admitted that he almost cancelled his appearance in the movie when his 91-year-old father Peter sadly passed away the day before filming was due to start.

But he said: “I realised that dad would have expected me to get on with life and see it through, so I went ahead with it in tribute to him.”

Luke Lovegrove, chief commercial officer at Loganair, said the company was “extremely proud” to operate the world’s shortest flight.

He admitted it was receiving renewed attention as a result of The Outrun. “The team was thrilled to see that our planes and the pilot’s impressive hand-flying technique made the final cut of the film,” he said. “The route attracts high numbers of visitors each year, all looking to try out the unique experience, and we look forward to meeting new passengers on the back of our involvement with the film.”

Flight option

Operated by Loganair, the Orkney Inter-Isles Air Service connects seven Orcadian islands and includes the 1.7-mile hop between Westray and Papa Westray which is officially recognised by Guinness as the world’s shortest scheduled airline service. The duration is officially two minutes, but under ideal wind conditions can be completed in less than a minute.

A 10-seat Britton Norman Islander is manned by one pilot for the duration of the flight. The route has been flown since the air service was started in 1967 and has been in operation seven days per week since then. The Guinness Book of Records lists 53 seconds as the fastest time recorded. If the wind is unfavourable it can take up to three minutes.

The route is mostly used by locals flying into or back from Kirkwall who will get the short flight as a consequence of the route linking Westray and Papa Westray to Kirkwall.

However, it also attracts tourists, and is popular with many enthusiasts from all over the world. Everyone is given a certificate following the flight.

It costs £17 for a one-way ticket between the two islands or £21 for a day return.

However, a return flight from Kirkwall to Papa Westray will include the short flight cost. It is only £21 if a night is spent on Papa Westray or £36 for a day return. There is also a sightseer fare available from £45 flying from Kirkwall to Westray and then Papa Westray before returning to Kirkwall.

The sightseer option is only bookable on the day of travel and can only be booked through the inter-island office based in Kirkwall.