Orkney teacher enjoys a ‘commute with a difference’ to get to work!

One of our teachers has been flying high and making the national news for his unusual commute to work!

Acting Head Teacher at Papa Westray School, Karl Simpson, can often be found making part of the school journey on the world’s shortest scheduled flight – between Papay and Westray.

At 1.7 miles, the flight can take less than a minute, and is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's shortest scheduled flight.

Karl has been commuting to Papay from his home in South Ronaldsay for the past two years. He flies out on Monday morning, and back on Friday afternoon, staying on Papay during the working week.

Karl starts his week with a 12-minute flight from Kirkwall to Westray, where any other passengers are picked up. Then the eight-seater ‘Earl Thorfinn the Mighty’ takes off again for the flight over to Papa Westray.

The Press & Journal got to hear of Karl’s unusual commute as part of Walk to Work Week and wanted to know more – they have shared his full story here: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/education/5730154/orkney-teacher-worlds-shortest-scheduled-flight/ 

The quickest flight with Karl on board was just 87 seconds. The all-time record is 53 seconds.

Karl admits to a sense of boyish excitement at the start of each week, ahead of his out-of-the-ordinary commute.

However, although he avoids the drudgery of bus stops and gridlock traffic, the island weather can make for some hair-raising journeys.

“If the weather’s particularly bad and it’s a very bumpy flight you do think, oh crikey, why do I have to do this again?” said Karl.

“When it’s windy, and you’re taking off sideways, landing sideways, bumping your head on the roof as it bounces. But otherwise, it’s a bit like a flying bus service really.

“It’s a speedy service and a very friendly service. Everybody knows the pilots by name, and they know us. It is quite fun, you’re very much part of the flight, compared to being on a big jet or something.”