About Us
Conveniently located close to Leeds/Bradford International Airport in Yorkshire, Air Supply was established twenty years ago to meet the needs of aviation enthusiasts and professionals.
Because we sell pilots products, navigation equipment, airband radios and spotters books to enthusiasts, the Yorkshire based Air Supply store is not only a shop, but a meeting place where visitors interested in aircraft and flying can link up.
The High Street Shop opened in September 1988, under the ownership of Andy Rackham, and Mike Dixon. Since 1994 the shop has been owned by Ken and Doreen Cothliff, who have maintained the high level of service that shop visitors, outdoor events customers and online purchasers have come to expect from this aviation store. Visitors will find that the shop is always staffed by genuine enthusiasts who offer a friendly and personal service to all those who are interested in aviation. This level of service is extended to visitors to our outdoor events sales trailer at Fly-Ins around the north of England and Scotland.
Air Supply is unique in the fact that it offers a full range of products that cater equally for professional and trainee pilots, as well as aviation enthusiasts and 'spotters'. The shop is open six days a week (seven days in the Summer) and offers an unparalleled range of aviation products including flying clothing and jackets, pilot books, charts and supplies, satellite positioning systems, headsets and transceivers.
For enthusiasts, Air Supply stock airband radios, scanners, shortwave receivers, radio aerials, binoculars and telescopes, videos, collectors' models of many sizes and types, specialist spotters' books, prints, timetables, as well as offering a photograph processing service. The shop also has a newsboard giving details of local movements, and any 'interesting' aircraft visiting the airport & local airfields, and giving details of aviation related activities in the region air shows.
As Air Supply no longer has a printed catalogue, the website is the easiest way to look for aviation items, you can also use the site to find out about our special offers. The retail stock list page may be the most useful however if you would like to purchase products online we take credit cards at our online shop, you could also ring for assistance from our staff during our shop opening hours.
In addition to running the business, Ken Cothliff is Event Director of the Yorkshire Air Show, Yorkshire's ONLY annual air show (held each August at Elvington Airfield, York), and Founder & Chairman of the 6(RCAF) Group Bomber Command Association, promoting close links with war veterans from Canada and the UK. He is also a historical aviation consultant, and part-time airshow commentator.
How to Find Us
Although located near Yorkshire's airport, the shop serves pilots and enthusiasts from across the United Kingdom though the website and events stand which has appeared at Air Shows throughout the UK, as well as Elvington.
Air Supply can be found just half a mile from the main terminal building of Leeds/Bradford International Airport. The location of the shop means that it is easily accessible during shop opening hours with unrestricted roadside parking and good public transport access. If you find yourself at Leeds Bradford Airport, the shop is walking distance from the general aviation side of the airfield.
For those who find it difficult to get to Air Supply, aviation equipment and products can be purchased by credit card online. We also have an outdoor events unit which appears at the Yorkshire Air Show, Elvington and other air shows and aviation events around the country - see "Events" page.
Air Supply - Supporting Events
Because Ken Cothliff is himself an aviation enthusiast Air Supply actively supports the Yorkshire Air Museum, the Air Yorkshire Aviation Society, and the Leeming Aviation Group, who play a lead role in highly-regarded aviation lectures, including "Air North".
During 2005 Air Supply supported the "Merlins over Malta" Project bysupplying all the Charts for the epic flight accross France and Italy by Clive Denny and Charlie Brown. in the Hurricane and Spitfire. Check details on their web-site: www.merlinsovermalta.com
If you would like Air Supply to support your local event, please do give us a ring. Latest airshow information (including Yorkshire and Elvington) and details of forthcoming activities can be found in our events diary.
Visitors of Interest
The Air Supply shop has had many interesting visitors from the world of aviation, including World War 2 'aces' from all over the world. Those who have been to the Yorkshire store in Yeadon include the highest scoring American 'ace' in the European Theatre, and veteran of Pearl Harbour, Col. Francis "Gabby" Gabreski, Canadian Pathfinder and Master Bomber 'ace', Lt. Gen Reg Lane, and 3rd. highest scoring German Fighter ace, Gen. Gunther Rall. Distinguished test pilot Jimmy Dell. Chief British Aerospace pilot on the Sepecat Jaguar and pilot on the BAC TSR2 strike bomber, has also been a guest of Air Supply.
The most well known 'personality' to visit the shop was the late Air Vice Marshal James E. "Johnny" Johnson, CB.,CBE.,DSO**.,DFC**., who opened the present premises on 11 July 1997 when Air Supply moved further up the road from 83 to 97 High Street. "Johnny" was the greatest Spitfire 'ace' of the war, with all his 38 victories scored in that remarkable aircraft, staying in the RAF, commanding a Victor Bomber wing, and becoming CinC. RAF Middle East, Air Supply has supported his charitable Housing Trust .
More recent visitors to the shop have included distinguished test pilot, Capt. Eric "Winkle" Brown; Dr.Rob Pleming of the Vulcan to the Sky Team; Grp. Capt. Geoff Brindle, Lightning "ace" and Flying Display Director of the Royal International Air Tattoo; and Chairman of the Bomber Command Association, Sqn. Ldr Tony Iveson - ex-617 "Dambusters" Sqn.