LABRADOR CALLIE earns own CREW CARD after flying 50,000 miles!

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Mr Mountford, from Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, has been a private pilot for 13 years and first took Callie, who resembles cartoon flying dog, Muttley, up in the air with him when she was just a three-month-old puppy.

She leaps into his Cessna 210 Centurion happily, and has touched won at airports across Britain, including Cornwall, Wales and various far-flung Scottish islands.

Mr Mountford said: ‘I used to go flying with friends, but when we got Callie three years ago I thought it would be fun to take her up in the plane with me.

‘I bought some small ear protectors for her to wear and the first time we just taxied around the airport to make sure she enjoyed it.

‘It all went well so we then went on a short flight and she took it all in her stride and seemed very happy.’

Now the pair fly most weekends, visiting beaches such as Barra in Scotland, Perranporth in Cornwall and Caernarfon in Wales, where Callie enjoys a run on the sand and a sausage.

Mr Mountford said: ‘She usually sits next to me in the front of the plane but if other people come with me she will stretch out on the back seat,’

‘I get a lot of comments and smiles when I land at an airport and people realise my co-pilot is a dog.’

He added: ‘Callie usually wears a fluorescent jacket and as soon as she puts it on, she knows she is going flying. She loves dressing up for the part.’

The crew card came about after Mr Mountford visited the AOPA at an exhibition and told them how many flying hours his labrador had.

He was told she was eligible for a VIP card, which gives the holder benefits including hotel and hire car discounts, and a card duly arrived in the post soon afterwards.

He said: ‘I have shown the card, along with mine, at some of the bigger airports and it always causes great amusement. Even the most glum security men break into a smile.’