Mil Pilots honoured by GAPAN
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Mil Pilots honoured by GAPAN
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.
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:
Full Speech
Note: The Guild became the Honourable Company of Air Pilots in February 2014.
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.
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.
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.
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.
My heartiest congrats to all, especially Rodney Burges, as he was the nav who used to feed me bananas in the front cockpit when "the stick monkey did good!"
Fox3ThanksForTheBanana !
Fox3ThanksForTheBanana !
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Congratulations Lt Cdr Wrighton. There are very few RN crews not been subjected to Malfunction training at some point from him. He would always find a way to make you finish no matter what you did!
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Many congratulations to 'Budgie' Burgess - richly deserved recognition for a thoroughly professional and dedicated aviator. He taught me the skills, and more importantly the 'ethos' of being an Air Defender, starting at Nav School. He was just as dedicated years later running the F3 Simulator at Leeming. A massive contribution to military aviation, by investing his time and experience in the individual. All the best dear boy.
Very many congratulations to the deserving recipients of awards - but somewhat amused by the gymnastics dictated by the width of the table - could they arrange a layout that allows for slightly more dignified presentation and handshake.
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Can I ask a question?
Why the robes????
I can (almost) see the point of traditional dress for the Candlestick makers etc etc who were formed in pre Tudor times but GAPAN was founded in 1929
Surely "traditional dress" should be plus fours and a big cap??????????
Why the robes????
I can (almost) see the point of traditional dress for the Candlestick makers etc etc who were formed in pre Tudor times but GAPAN was founded in 1929
Surely "traditional dress" should be plus fours and a big cap??????????
Congratulations to both Chris and Fingers. I had the pleasure of serving with them both; Chris at Portland and Fingers at Prestwick. Two professional aviators and thoroughly good blokes, they are a credit to the Fleet Air Arm
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skua
Very good.
Heathrow Harry
Tradition.
In the early 14th century members began wearing distinctive clothing which identified their trade associations/guilds - a 'livery'. The practice extended and gradually led to them being known as Livery Companies. The custom has continued unbroken to this day. All companies have livery robes, including the newest which became the 108th Livery Company in 2008.
The robes are worn by members of the executive committee on ceremonial occasions and by new Liverymen when they are formally 'clothed' in the livery of their Company.
Some current and former service personnel:
Douglas Radcliffe MBE, Bomber Command veteran, meeting the Duke of York
Doug, who flew as a wireless operator on the Lancaster, has been Secretary of the Bomber Command Association for 30 years. He will be 90 in November.
Air Cdre Malcolm White OBE, Chairman of the Association, on the right.
Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Tudor Owen, Sir Stephen Dalton
Very good.
Heathrow Harry
Why the robes????
In the early 14th century members began wearing distinctive clothing which identified their trade associations/guilds - a 'livery'. The practice extended and gradually led to them being known as Livery Companies. The custom has continued unbroken to this day. All companies have livery robes, including the newest which became the 108th Livery Company in 2008.
The robes are worn by members of the executive committee on ceremonial occasions and by new Liverymen when they are formally 'clothed' in the livery of their Company.
Some current and former service personnel:
Sqn Ldr Sally Varley and Gp Captain Richard Allen
Douglas Radcliffe MBE, Lady Dalton, Air Cdre Malcolm White
Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Tudor Owen
Sir Patrick 'Paddy' Hine (former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff),
Judge Tudor Owen (Master) The Duke of York
Honourable Company of Air Pilots
Air Chief Marshall Sir Peter Squire (Chief of the Air Staff 2000-2003)
Judge Tudor Owen (Master) Air Marshall Cliff Spink (Immediate Past Master)
Gp Capt Roger Gault
Douglas Radcliffe MBE, Bomber Command veteran, meeting the Duke of York
Doug, who flew as a wireless operator on the Lancaster, has been Secretary of the Bomber Command Association for 30 years. He will be 90 in November.
Air Cdre Malcolm White OBE, Chairman of the Association, on the right.
Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Tudor Owen, Sir Stephen Dalton
The Guild became the Honourable Company of Air Pilots in February 2014.
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 2nd Jun 2013 at 22:17.
As requested, I'll kick off. Picture 1 is Sqn Ldr Sally "Manic" Varley, former Manager of RAFAT. There are plenty of pictures of Sally online so I don't think I'm compromising any personal details here.
Gentleman Aviator
As requested, I'll kick off. Picture 1 is Sqn Ldr Sally "Manic" Varley, former Manager of RAFAT
