Flight Lieutenant Matthew Pilbeam is a RAF Typhoon pilot serving with II(AC) Squadron. On 15 May 2022, he was flying one of two armed Typhoons on an operational mission over Iraq when both were forced to conduct an emergency diversion into Al Asad Air Base. After landing, the other pilot in his formation experienced a malfunction that prevented the cockpit canopy from opening. During a similar episode at this airfield in 2020 fire crews had cut through the canopy perspex to free the pilot as acute heat stress had become a risk to life. The pilot was also injured during the rescue. Given the extreme temperature of +41°C on this occasion, heat stress was a grave concern, so the engines were kept running to maintain cockpit cooling.

While canopy troubleshooting was underway, the fuel became very low and aircraft systems began to overheat as fuel became insufficient for component cooling. This was a wicked problem: maintain engines running with a growing fire risk or shut them down and induce dangerous heat stress for the pilot without cockpit cooling. In addition, a stuck canopy left only two options: cut through the canopy or jettison it; both risked significant injury to the pilot. Further, the aircraft would have sustained structural damage that would have seen it unavailable for operations for several weeks.

Now on the flight line, Flt Lt Pilbeam quickly assimilated the situation and assessed that an engines-running refuel would buy precious time for the pilot. However, it was a brand-new procedure that was tightly-controlled and permissible only under the supervision of qualified Typhoon engineers – it had never been done in such a manner before. Faced with this dilemma, he acted decisively, judging the threat to life to be of far greater importance in this instance. He rapidly liaised with the local ground crew, who were unfamiliar with Typhoon, and closely supervised the aircraft refuel.

Once the refuel was completed, he switched his attention to freeing the trapped pilot. Eventually able to confer with Typhoon engineers in Cyprus via satellite communication, it was assessed that thermal expansion was the likely cause of the stuck canopy. Prompted by the fire truck in attendance, Flt Lt Pilbeam proposed a novel and innovative procedure to his engineers to douse the canopy in cold water and when validated, he swiftly led the attending fire crews through the procedure. This simple procedure had the desired effect and the canopy was freed without any damage to the aircraft.

Flt Lt Pilbeam’s ability to adapt, innovate and act quickly under pressure ultimately prevented serious injury to a fellow pilot and potentially saved his life. Through his composed and decisive actions, he also avoided significant damage to the aircraft that would have seen it stranded in a hostile environment and unavailable for follow-on missions at a busy time in the operational campaign. His actions were well beyond that to be expected in the situation and are thoroughly deserving of recognition by award of the Master’s Medal.

... of the Guild Medal

1976  F A Laker Esq

1977  awarded twice
      Captain J Schuman (posthumously) and Herr J Veito of Lufthansa Flight 181
      The Royal Air Force Red Arrow Aerobatic Team

... of the Master's Medal 

1985  Captain John Testrake

1986  PO ACMN L Slater

1987  R Branson Esq and Per Lindstrand

1988  Captain S Yousif

1989  not awarded

1990  FO A Atchison

1991  Miss H Sharman

1992  not awarded

1993  Captain E J Wyer

1994  not awarded

1995 Air Cdre A N Nicholson OBE QHS RAF

1996 - 1998  not awarded

1999  Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard of the Breitling Orbiter 3

2000  not awarded

2001  Polly Vacher

2002  Caroline Gough-Cooper and Imogen Asker 

2003  David K Hempleman-Adams OBE

2004  HMS ENDURANCE

2005  Not Awarded

2006  The crew of 7 Flt AAC -  WOI1 Challis (Aircraft Commander), Sgt Khanlarian and Cpl Leah

2007  Awarded twice:
      Apache Patrol Members of 656 Sqn AAC
      POACM James O'Donnell QGM

2008  not awarded

2009  Awarded twice:
      The Crew of US Airways Flight 1549
      Captain Charles "Chalkie" Stobbart

2010  Awarded twice:
      Captain Michael Fairhurst and First Officer James Brown
      Captain Stephen Noujaim

2011  Lt Cdr William Strickland USCG

2012  David "Wheely Dave" Sykes

2013 Awarded twice:
      Lt Cdr Vincent Jansen USCG
      Sgt Rachael Robinson QGM

2014  not awarded

2015  Solar Impulse - Dr Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg

2016  Awarded twice:
      Tracey Curtis-Taylor
      Timothy Peake CMG BSc(Hons)

2017  Awarded twice:
      Flt Sgt Mike Rowlands
      Cdr Matthew Grindon RN

2018  not awarded

2019  Awarded to:
      Winchman Paramedic Carlton Real
      Wg Cdr Rob Caine MBE MA RAF
      James Ketchall

2020  Flt Lt Richard Davoren RAF

2021  Awarded twice:
      Lt Col Adam Thornton USAF
      Flt Lt Matthew Douglas RAF

2022  Awarded twice:
      Zara Rutherford
      Mack Rutherford

2023  Flight Lieutenant Matthew Pilbeam RAF