Honourable Company of Air Pilots
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"I am now further intrigued by the fact that Air Chief Marshal Dalton is wearing an aiguillette despite no longer being either Air Aide-de-Camp to HM The Queen or a member of the Air Force Board. I am aware that a former Air Aide-de-Camp is permitted to continue to wear the Royal Cypher itself but, by comparison with the Chaplain-in-Chief's Royal aiguillette as a QHC, I suspect that it is the Type 4 aiguillette which is still being worn."
Another bit of thread drift back to "Apocryphal Tales". I heard about a senior naval officer at Cranwell who was wearing an aiguillette at a beer call in the Officers' mess when he noticed that a newly graduated Acting Pilot Officer was staring intently at him.
"Can I help you, young man?" the VSO asked.
"I was wondering what the gold string was for," replied the APO.
"It is an aiguillette - it signifies that I used to be ADC to her Majesty" said the Naval Officer pompously.
The APO then came out with, "Oh - I thought that it was so your parrot got a better grip".
Another bit of thread drift back to "Apocryphal Tales". I heard about a senior naval officer at Cranwell who was wearing an aiguillette at a beer call in the Officers' mess when he noticed that a newly graduated Acting Pilot Officer was staring intently at him.
"Can I help you, young man?" the VSO asked.
"I was wondering what the gold string was for," replied the APO.
"It is an aiguillette - it signifies that I used to be ADC to her Majesty" said the Naval Officer pompously.
The APO then came out with, "Oh - I thought that it was so your parrot got a better grip".
Fly3 wrote:
I should think so too!
Fines for Dining-In Night misdeeds were quite rare though. But at pre-pongo Wattisham, one jovial Irish Fg Off navigator complained loudly about the lead-filled rubber chicken (it was actually very tough pheasant) we'd been served. So, after the loyal toast, a 'helpful' colleague obtained a catering-sized tin of baked beans from the kitchen and plonked it down in front of him, wherupon E**c set about it with gusto. The PMC, OC Eng Wg (and not a 56(F) Sqn favourite...), took a dim view of this, banged his gavel and announce that Fg Off H**p would buy brandy for the mess. 3 bottles were then produced and were passed around. But the whisper went round amongst the rest of us that no-one was to take any (apart from a couple of blunties to whom the whisper hadn't reached in time - they didn't drink it though, once they'd heard the instruction). Thus 3 almost full bottles ended up in front of E**c, who poured himself a glass and raised it in the direction of the PMC, thanking him for saving him the trouble of going to the bar!
I can recall more than one gentleman being fined a round of port for being caught wearing pre-tied bow tie at a mess dinner.
Fines for Dining-In Night misdeeds were quite rare though. But at pre-pongo Wattisham, one jovial Irish Fg Off navigator complained loudly about the lead-filled rubber chicken (it was actually very tough pheasant) we'd been served. So, after the loyal toast, a 'helpful' colleague obtained a catering-sized tin of baked beans from the kitchen and plonked it down in front of him, wherupon E**c set about it with gusto. The PMC, OC Eng Wg (and not a 56(F) Sqn favourite...), took a dim view of this, banged his gavel and announce that Fg Off H**p would buy brandy for the mess. 3 bottles were then produced and were passed around. But the whisper went round amongst the rest of us that no-one was to take any (apart from a couple of blunties to whom the whisper hadn't reached in time - they didn't drink it though, once they'd heard the instruction). Thus 3 almost full bottles ended up in front of E**c, who poured himself a glass and raised it in the direction of the PMC, thanking him for saving him the trouble of going to the bar!
Gentleman Aviator
TTN
And one of them has an M-i-D oakleaf too - from Battle of Cape Matapan IIRC.
Respect Sir.
As well as the usual baubles picked up by all royals over the years, he has 5 campaign stars from WW2,
Respect Sir.
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Thanks- it wasn't a suggestion, I thot Fadge had been knighted. How about AVM Steve Nicholl- is he the ex F4 driver?
Last edited by N2erk; 27th Feb 2014 at 16:24. Reason: Add (well deserved) rank
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The B Word
Our full title is 'The Honourable Company of Air Pilots incorporating Air Navigators'.
It's quite long so will inevitably be shortened to 'Air Pilots'.
thing
No, not a pilot, nor even a fishmonger in the usual sense. He's a television director.
There were also (for example) a Draper, a Merchant Taylor, a Skinner, a Clothworker, a Pewterer, a Barber-Surgeon, a Tallow Chandler, a Butcher, a Cordwainer, a Bowyer and a Fletcher.
They are all City of London Livery Companies. Some, such as the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, are linked to a craft or trade; others no longer have such a link, sometimes because the craft/trade no longer exists. All livery companies are involved in charitable work; some are purely charitable foundations.
teeteringhead
A splendid evening indeed. 
Our Patron, the Duke of Edinburgh, clearly thought so too - as can be seen in the photographs.
I'm sorry we didn't meet at either the party or the "post party party".
Or perhaps we did and you didn't reveal your PPRuNe ID?
Tudor Owen
(Master of The Honourable Company of Air Pilots incorporating Air Navigators.)
what happened to the 'Honorable Company of Pilots incorporating Air Navigators' - espcially as Stu Peach is one!
It's quite long so will inevitably be shortened to 'Air Pilots'.
thing
Surprised to see a fishmonger there. Is he a pilot?
There were also (for example) a Draper, a Merchant Taylor, a Skinner, a Clothworker, a Pewterer, a Barber-Surgeon, a Tallow Chandler, a Butcher, a Cordwainer, a Bowyer and a Fletcher.
They are all City of London Livery Companies. Some, such as the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, are linked to a craft or trade; others no longer have such a link, sometimes because the craft/trade no longer exists. All livery companies are involved in charitable work; some are purely charitable foundations.
teeteringhead
What a splendid evening it was! And the "post party party" in the Cowdray Room was a good one too!
Our Patron, the Duke of Edinburgh, clearly thought so too - as can be seen in the photographs.
I'm sorry we didn't meet at either the party or the "post party party".
Or perhaps we did and you didn't reveal your PPRuNe ID?
Tudor Owen
(Master of The Honourable Company of Air Pilots incorporating Air Navigators.)
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Am I alone in thinking that judging from the photos The Honourable Company of Air Pilots must consist of VSOs of the Services. Perhaps the civil aviation contingent in their DJs don't make such interesting pictures.
26er, the Company has a wide membership and is emphatically not made up of senior military officers.
Civilian dress for this event was 'white tie', evening tail coat not a dinner jacket.
Civilian dress for this event was 'white tie', evening tail coat not a dinner jacket.
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Am I alone in thinking that judging from the photos The Honourable Company of Air Pilots must consist of VSOs of the Services. Perhaps the civil aviation contingent in their DJs don't make such interesting pictures.
Tankertrashnav, if you wish to apply for membership of the Company, please see http://www.airpilots.org/file/1484/a...rm-2013-14.pdf
Last edited by BEagle; 1st Mar 2014 at 19:07.
Perhaps the civil aviation contingent in their DJs don't make such interesting pictures.
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26er
Since this is the Military Aircrew forum, it's not surprising that the photos are mainly of service personnel because they are more likely to be known.
Most of our members are/were professionals (commercial & service or both at different stages of their careers) but PPLs like me are made very welcome.
Some civvies:
Capt & Mrs Peter Bugge (Past Master)
Mr & Mrs Tony Edwards (PPL)
Captains Colin Cox and Mike Davidson
Capt Hugh Dibley
Dr Sam Waller (PPL) & her guest
Capt Jock Lowe (Past Master) & Ms Petra Boekle
Tankertrashnav
Yes, you can join. You don't have to wait to be asked.
You'll need a proposer and seconder. Having read many of your posts over the years, I'd be happy to do either if you need a second sponsor.
gr4techie
I realise people are often very different in real life from their PPRuNe persona but, having read many of your posts over the years, I doubt if you'd enjoy being a member.
FL
Am I alone in thinking that judging from the photos The Honourable Company of Air Pilots must consist of VSOs of the Services. Perhaps the civil aviation contingent in their DJs don't make such interesting pictures.
Most of our members are/were professionals (commercial & service or both at different stages of their careers) but PPLs like me are made very welcome.
Some civvies:
Capt & Mrs Peter Bugge (Past Master)
Mr & Mrs Tony Edwards (PPL)
Captains Colin Cox and Mike Davidson
Capt Hugh Dibley
Dr Sam Waller (PPL) & her guest
Capt Jock Lowe (Past Master) & Ms Petra Boekle
Tankertrashnav
Yes, you can join. You don't have to wait to be asked.
You'll need a proposer and seconder. Having read many of your posts over the years, I'd be happy to do either if you need a second sponsor.
gr4techie
Maybe the civil aviation contingent don't need lots of gold braid and badges to make them feel special.
FL
Originally Posted by N2erk
How about AVM Steve Nicholl- is he the ex F4 driver?
And he refuses to age!!!
PPRuNe Handmaiden
If I may post, Checkboard and myself were there. It was a cracking night
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Flying Lawer, I find the problem with text is people do not get the context it was written in. With face to face speech, you get the tone and body language. I did not mean anything bad by my comment. I was just pointing out all the bling, which (as you guessed) is a bit OTT for me.
Flying lawyer - thanks for your kind offer.
If I'm honest Ive always been a bit in awe of the organisation (in its previous form at least). I was never more than a bog standard squadron nav, so thought I may have been a bit out of my depth in such august company. But maybe I'll give it a go!
If I'm honest Ive always been a bit in awe of the organisation (in its previous form at least). I was never more than a bog standard squadron nav, so thought I may have been a bit out of my depth in such august company. But maybe I'll give it a go!
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Tankertrashnav, I'm not services and never have been. No one really cares as every one is there for an enjoyable time. We've been to 2 events (plus the newbies afternoon) and we've been fortunate to be on tables with fascinating folks. All good company. 
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TTN
I hope you do.
gr4techie
I must have misunderstood what you meant by "need lots of gold braid and badges to make them feel special."
They complied with the Dress Code for this very special celebration which was 'White Tie or equivalent Mess Dress with miniatures'. I'm certain the overwhelming majority of our members, probably all, are pleased when current and former service personnel wear mess kit to our formal dinners - and would be disappointed if they didn't.
I've noticed that you've commented, on a few occasions, that there's not much sign of public support for the armed services beyond the immediate vicinity of military establishments so I hope you are pleased to see that we demonstrate our support.
We have strong links with the armed services and have Affiliated Units in all three, including Reserve and Cadet units. Those affiliations are active, not notional.
One of my first tasks when I became Master was to visit HMS Illustrious (an affiliated unit) to present our Air Safety Trust Award to a member of the ship's company - Leading Airman (Aircraft Handler) Stephen Ashcroft. Seven members came with me. My term of office ends in a couple of weeks and one of my last tasks will be to attend a dinner at Middle Wallop (next Friday) to present a Master Air Pilot certificate to a member of the Army Air Corps - another affiliated unit.
My only personal link with the services was as a Cadet Pilot in the University of London Air Squadron, also an affiliated unit. Not much when compared with the regular contributors in this forum but, 40 years later, I'm still proud of it. I was delighted when the Squadron agreed to provide a Guard of Honour on two occasions during my Master's year - for the Duke of York last May and, on this occasion, for the Duke of Edinburgh.
In these challenging political/financial times, I think it's important as ever to show support for the armed services and we, the Air Pilots, do so in many different ways.
FL
I hope you do.
gr4techie
I must have misunderstood what you meant by "need lots of gold braid and badges to make them feel special."
They complied with the Dress Code for this very special celebration which was 'White Tie or equivalent Mess Dress with miniatures'. I'm certain the overwhelming majority of our members, probably all, are pleased when current and former service personnel wear mess kit to our formal dinners - and would be disappointed if they didn't.
I've noticed that you've commented, on a few occasions, that there's not much sign of public support for the armed services beyond the immediate vicinity of military establishments so I hope you are pleased to see that we demonstrate our support.
We have strong links with the armed services and have Affiliated Units in all three, including Reserve and Cadet units. Those affiliations are active, not notional.
One of my first tasks when I became Master was to visit HMS Illustrious (an affiliated unit) to present our Air Safety Trust Award to a member of the ship's company - Leading Airman (Aircraft Handler) Stephen Ashcroft. Seven members came with me. My term of office ends in a couple of weeks and one of my last tasks will be to attend a dinner at Middle Wallop (next Friday) to present a Master Air Pilot certificate to a member of the Army Air Corps - another affiliated unit.
My only personal link with the services was as a Cadet Pilot in the University of London Air Squadron, also an affiliated unit. Not much when compared with the regular contributors in this forum but, 40 years later, I'm still proud of it. I was delighted when the Squadron agreed to provide a Guard of Honour on two occasions during my Master's year - for the Duke of York last May and, on this occasion, for the Duke of Edinburgh.
In these challenging political/financial times, I think it's important as ever to show support for the armed services and we, the Air Pilots, do so in many different ways.
FL
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 1st Mar 2014 at 23:49.