Group Captain Mike Longstaff reached his 5,000th flying hour in a Tucano trainer. His achievement is the equivalent of flying eight months without a break at the controls and a distance in excess of a million miles - or twice to the moon and back, followed by five circuits of the Earth!
His achievement is also noteworthy because, while junior RAF pilots spend most of their time in the air, as Station Commander, Gp Capt Longstaff is also responsible for the welfare of 1,000 personnel, an annual budget of £25m and a host of civic duties.
Still a qualified instructor, he continues to teach trainee aircrew on the Tucano. But these days he is more likely to be found flying a desk. To reach such a significant tally of hours involved juggling responsibilities and few senior officers can claim to match his airborne time. He said:
"I am, of course, very proud of the achievement, but in all honesty I would swap every single one of my hours for the chance to be starting out all over again."
In a career spanning three decades Gp Capt Longstaff flew operationally as a Puma helicopter pilot. In 2001 he was appointed chief flying instructor at Linton. Last November he returned to the base, this time at the helm.
Although airline pilots used to flying 6-12 hours a day can clock up 5,000 hours fairly quickly, their military jet and helicopter counterparts rarely get airborne for more than an hour or two at a time. As such the milestone is considered a special achievement in the RAF.
But passing a log book landmark is not his only cause for celebration. In July Gp Capt Longstaff will host commemorations to mark the 90th anniversary of Linton's Number 1 Flying Training School - the world's oldest independent military pilot academy. He said:
"Having trained here as a pilot, served as the chief instructor and now as station commander I have a long association with RAF Linton-on-Ouse. To be in charge of a base with such an illustrious history, especially during this special anniversary year, is for me both a privilege and an honour."