Mil aircrew were honoured by the
The Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators at a ceremony held at the Mansion House in London on Wednesday night.
The new Liverymen of the Guild:
Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Tudor Owen, Sir Stephen Dalton
Judge Tudor Owen and Sir Stephen Dalton Chief of the Air Staff
Honourable Company of Air Pilots
Capt Al Pinner former RAF Sqn Ldr
Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Tudor Owen, Sir Stephen Dalton
Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Tudor Owen, Sir Stephen Dalton
Master Air Pilot certificates were awarded to:
Lt Cdr Chris Wrighton
Flt Lt James Iain Harris
Lt Cdr Adrian Hands
Master Air Navigator certificate to:
Sqn Ldr Rodney Rundle Burges
Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Tudor Owen, Sir Stephen Dalton
Following the ceremony, the new Liverymen, Master Air Pilots and Master Air Navigator were announced at the Livery Dinner attended by HRH The Duke of York and the Lord Mayor of London.
Honourable Company of Air Pilots
Mansion House London
Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Tudor Owen, Sir Stephen Dalton
In his Master's speech, His Honour Judge Tudor Owen FRAeS (aka Flying Lawyer) said Britain can be justifiably proud of its achievements in both military and civil aviation.
Three years ago, we marked the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. This year, we mark the 70th Anniversary of the 'Dambusters’ raid by 617 Squadron.
Air power is as important today as it ever was. It isn’t an optional luxury; it is a defining capability.
We are proud to have many former and current members of the Royal Air Force, the Fleet Air Arm and the Army Air Corps in our Company and proud to have close and active affiliations with Units in each – some of which are represented here this evening.
Just as we remember with pride the bravery and skill of our pilots, navigators and crewmen 70 or so years ago, we salute the bravery and skill of our fellow pilots and other flight crew in today’s armed services.
That produced one of the loudest rounds of applause of the evening.
Another was when he called upon the UK government to take urgent action now to ensure that the UK maintains a major hub airport and stems the flow to alternative hubs on the continent and elsewhere:
Commercial aviation is another British success story.
Our aviation networks must have the capacity to serve both existing and emerging markets. Our competitors understand this and did something about it while the UK talked about it. The UK is still talking about it!
At the moment, I am able to speak proudly of Britain’s past and present aviation achievements.
I hope that in 30, 40, 50 or more years’ time my successors as Master won’t be reduced to reminiscing about ‘the good old days’ of British aviation, and rueing what might have been.
Full Speech
Note: The Guild became the Honourable Company of Air Pilots in February 2014.