Norman Turnbull

Norman Turnbull was a stalwart in the aviation industry in Dubai.

His immense contribution will always be remembered by all of us.

Sheikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum

Norman Turnbull's Early Life

Norman was born 28th June of 1921 in Greenside, a small village in County Durham (now Tyne and Wear) in the northeast of England.

He attended the local village school until he was 14 years old.

World War 2 and After

In November 1940, he reported for voluntary service at the RAF Recruiting Office in Newcastle. Norman was interviewed to be a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner but had to accept the position of Wireless Operator.

In 1944, Norman attended a BOAC Selection Board in Bristol. 25 Candidates attended, with 6 being successful including Norman. He was one of two Candidates that gained direct entry as a Ground Radio Officer.

Shortly after starting with BOAC, he was released from the RAF. BOAC posted Norman first to London, then Cairo (as an Air Traffic Controller), then later to Cyprus to set up a radio station.

The Trucial States

Norman first visited the Trucial States in 1957 to meet Sharjah's Airport Manager.

In 1968, he was posted to Sharjah as Manager IAL Sharjah and Deputy to the General Manager who was based in Dubai.

As Airport Manager, he was responsible for Air Traffic Control and Navigation Aids Facility provided by IAL in support of UK's Royal Air Force based at Sharjah Airport. Norman was also responsible for handling of Civil Aircraft.

Norman lived in an apartment, along with his Wife and daughter, in the Sharjah Fort. Sharjah Fort is now part of Sharjah Aviation Museum. All IAL's Staff, apart from Norman, lived in Dubai so transport had to be provided daily to cater for shift changes.

Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum opens Dubai Airport

Norman attended Dubai Airport's New Terminal Building's official opening on 13th May 1971.

Trucial States and Independence

UK Government had previously announced their withdrawal from the Trucial States effective 1st December 1971.

Conseqently, UK's RAF moved out of Sharjah Airport on that date. IAL relocated Norman to Dubai Airport as Airport Manager, Dubai international Airport and Deputy to IAL's General Manager.

On 2nd December 1971, the Trucial States became the United Arab Emirates.

Norman continued in those roles until he retired from IAL in 1986 at 65 years of age.

He then joined Dubai's Department of Civil Aviation as Technical Co-Ordinator - a role he held until his retirement in 2000.

Events

1973: Norman flew as a Guest on Concorde during the aircraft's "Hot Weather" Tests.

1983: With plans for Dubai Duty Free in progress, The Director General asked Norman to visit Shannon Airport to seek assistance in setting up and operating DDF. Norman subsequently suggested to the DG that a Shannon Duty Free Representaive visit Dubai for preliminary discussions. The Director General agreed which led to a Shannon Duty Free Team, including Colm Mcloughlin and George Horan, visiting Dubai and subsequently developing Dubai Duty Free.

1985: Norman was a passenger on the inaugural Emirates Airlines flight from Dubai to Karachi. Emirates Airline’s inaugural flight took off on October 25, 1985, flying from Dubai (DXB) to Karachi, Pakistan (KHI). This milestone, operated with a wet-leased Airbus A300B4-200 and a Boeing 737-300, marked the birth of the airline. The service was commanded by Captain Fazle Ghani Mian.

1989: Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum instructed Norman to establish a Flying School. Emirates Flying School was the outcome.

Norman Turnbull had the exceptional ability to grapple complex matters with ease. I consider it a privilege to have worked with him and was able to learn many aspects relating to aviation under his guidance. Mohammad Abdullah Lengawi

He was an advisor in many ways. Recruitment advice, procedures, protocol, introductions, systems. We remained friends through the years.Colm McLoughlin

A wonderfully warm Manager of Dubai Airport who could remember the names of his staff members' Spouses and Children right back to the seventies.
Loved by many and respected by all. Clive Francis