An outstanding contribution to the art of display flying

[Flying Lawyer]

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The HANNA TROPHY

Awarded in memory of Ray and Mark Hanna

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for an outstanding contribution to the art of display flying
of historic, vintage or modern fighter or combat aircraft.





A reminder that nominations for this year’s Trophies and Awards close on 31 May.
If any members (or others) have suitable nominations, please ensure they are received at the office (send by email) by this date.


Details of the terms of reference for all trophies and awards, and how to nominate: Call for Nominations (https://www.airpilots.org/about-the-company/trophies-and-awards/call-for-nominations/)



Tudor Owen




http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/200715-sqd-ldr-ray-hanna-afc.html

http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/540561-john-romain-wins-inaugural-hanna-trophy.html

[Lima Juliet]

Hi Tudor

I thought it important to include a link to Mark's bio as well for those that never new him.

Mark & Ray Hanna (http://www.ofmc.co.uk/rayandmark.aspx)

Both are sadly missed but this trophy is an outstanding legacy for both of them.

LJ

[Flying Lawyer]

Thanks for correcting my oversight Leon.
Much appreciated.

[West Coast]

Lives well lived.

[Wander00]

The Red arrows, for 50 years of consummate formation display flying................I'll get my hat

[Genstabler]

The Red arrows, for 50 years of consummate formation display flying.

I'll vote for that!

[Motleycallsign]

They get my vote as well; but 50th season? - doesn't that mean they're starting their 50th year not actually completed 50 yrs display flying?

I know, growbag, helmet, the door's over there

[Wander00]

Hope he RAF does better than they did for the 25th. In the end the Team and The Red Arrows Trust (the charity fund raisers) had to do it. Terrific day though, just aerobatic teams. My youngest was just a toddler, and still remembers it

[soddim]

I nominate Paul Day who displayed the BBMF fighters exceptionally well within RAF imposed limits for many years and led the BBMF as Officer Commanding for many of those years. He displayed the Italian Spitfire brilliantly to more liberal limits and in retirement flew and displayed a two-seat Spitfire. He did all of this demanding flying safely over a long period and was an inspiration to all those budding historic display pilots he came into contact with.

[gzornenplatz]

I should like to second Paul (first met on 20 Squadron, Tengah). Not only a fine display pilot but an exceptional teacher of display poilots.

[NutLoose]

Sod dim, he also displayed the RR mk 19 in retirement, I agree with your nomination, I cannot think of anyone more deserving either.

[Wander00]

PD - and the odd overflight of Little Snoring when we happened to live in the village - Brilliant! But for Paul's enthusiasm I suspect that the future of BBMF might have been at risk of reduction in size or folding altogether

[ekwhistleblower]

Major is a top man!

[NutLoose]

He has also announced his retirement from flying after delivering the Spit two seater to its new owner, perhaps a fitting time to award it to him as well.

[Lima Juliet]

Yup, I'd vote for Paul Day. Superb display pilot and also an outstanding instructor.

Thumbs up for "The Major" :ok:

LJ

[Jucky]

How many nominations have been received for this award?

[thing]

Another one for The Major. Top man, incredibly modest, dry as a desert, hilarious after dinner speaker, very much missed at a secret flying club in Lincs.

[Genstabler]

I do not know Paul Day, either personally or by reputation. Nor, I suspect, do many civilian or even service aviators, let alone the public. From what I have read on here I am sure he would be a very deserving recipient and a popular one to those who know him. Perhaps he will be so honoured, if not this year then soon.

I do, however, think this is the one singularly appropriate year to honour the RAFAT, who have undeniably made and continue to make an outstanding and enduring contribution to display flying, not only in this country but across the world. It is their 50th anniversary.

Three years ago they suffered appalling tragedy, losing two pilots killed in accidents and a third to consequential traumatic stress. They were immediately subjected to a lengthy period of intrusive and often hostile inspection, analysis and reorganisation, culminating in undeserved and very public humiliation. The flawed SI into Sean Cunningham's death trashed their reputation, professionalism and integrity on very dubious and subsequently largely disproved evidence. I know how hurt and angry the Team were by this disgraceful episode.

From that low point, through their professionalism, hard work and inspired internal leadership, they have picked themselves up and reestablished their reputation as probably the most famous, popular and entertaining military aerobatic team in the world. They had massive public exposure throughout the Jubilee year and the UK Olympics, followed by a very successful tour of the Middle East. This, their 50th anniversary year, sees them entertaining the public with as fine and polished a display as they have ever achieved in the past. They have never been so visible and so popular with the British public.

It would be a very fitting and popular choice, not only with professional aviators but also with the public, if The Red Arrows were awarded this honour, this year.

[Wander00]

Here's a thought - Hanna Award for PD, "Special Award", the "Fellowship" or whatever (a la BAFTAs) for RAFAT. Well it was an idea..........

[RNHF_PILOT]

John Beattie was awarded the Hanna Trophy. Congratulations John!

FLYER Airportal - General Aviation News (http://www.flyer.co.uk/aviation-news/newsfeed.php?artnum=2081)

[Pheasant]

I cannot think of a better recipient than JB. Mentor to many, a display pilot natural and a jolly nice bloke. His main mission in life is to enthuse others in the art of aviation - we love him to bits.

[Flying Lawyer]

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Citation: JOHN BEATTIE MBE

John Beattie has been a stalwart of the UK Air Display circuit for over 40 years with his first display occurring in 1973 whilst on an exchange tour with the Army Air Corps flying the Scout AH.1. As the Senior Pilot of 705 Naval Air Squadron, he led the renowned Sharks Helicopter Display Team in 1982 flying the Gazelle HT.2.

Having not had his fill of display flying, John joined the Royal Navy Historic Flight (RNHF) in 1986, having already accrued a large number of tail-wheel hours flying Chipmunks while aero-towing for the RN Gliding Clubs since 1979. An initial season displaying the Swordfish in 1986 subsequently led to him stepping into the Firefly AS.5 in 1987 and both the Sea Fury FB.11 and T.20 in 1988. He took over as the Flight Commander of RNHF in 1991 where he remained until he retired from the Royal Navy in 1994.

After life in the RN John took up a career with the airlines, but this never deterred him from display flying and throughout the nineties and even currently he can be seen displaying historic Rotary and Fixed Wing aircraft at air displays all over the UK.

He returned to the RNHF in 2004 as the civilian General Manager and as a mentor for the RNHF pilots following the tragic loss of the Firefly and its crew in a display accident the previous year. John eventually retired in 2009, but continues to mentor RNHF pilots whilst displaying Warbirds as Chief Pilot of Kennet Aviation and other historic collections when asked.

John has made a significant contribution to the RNHF over the years, but particularly in the last decade, both as the General Manager and now as a pilot mentor. As a mentor he generously gives up his time to fly with all the pilots on a regular basis allowing them to benefit from his extensive experience and wisdom. He has also facilitated the use of civilian aircraft such as the Piston Provost, Jet Provost, T6 Texan and his own Chipmunk on a regular basis, all of which have been invaluable. Combined with John’s continued coaching and encouragement this allows the pilots to safely make the transition from the Chipmunk to the Swordfish and ultimately the Sea Fury, or Sea Hawk, thus ensuring the pilots are suitably qualified to display historic aircraft to the general public in a safe manner.

Over the past few years John (along with his co-owner) has generously allowed the RNHF the use of his Chipmunk for continuation training when the Flight’s Chipmunk has been unavailable for engineering reasons. This comes at considerable personal financial cost to John as the RNHF do not pay him for the hours used and since October 2013 to May 2014, RNHF pilots have flown 60 hours (half the RNHF annual Chipmunk allocation) on his aeroplane alone. Without this unwavering support, the RNHF would find it incredibly difficult to operate safely.

As an experienced DAE he has utilised his extensive knowledge to mentor many civilian display acts whilst remaining an active display pilot. At displays he is always keen to engage with the general public, (the raison d'être for display flying after all) by showing them the aeroplanes up close and answering many questions. He can often be observed allowing little boys and girls as well as not so little boys and girls to sit in the cockpits of these rare machines making aeroplane noises, pretending they are wheeling it through the skies just for a moment. It makes one wonder how many of those little boys or girls have become, or are going to become pilots after that momentary encounter with John at an Air Show somewhere.

Needless to say that the UK Air Display Circuit would have been a less interesting and potentially less safe arena for the general public if so many pilots, both military and civilian hadn’t benefitted from his wisdom and so many people had not witnessed his graceful displays. His outstanding contribution to ‘warbird’ display flying is recognised by the award of the Hanna Trophy.