On 1 April 2001, Dr Mark Miller accepted the position of Director and Chief Engineer of a new company, de Havilland Support Ltd (DHSL).  The company was formed from a nucleus of licensed aircraft engineers, pilots and technical experts from the de Havilland Moth Club’s Technical Support Group and, initially sponsored by British Aerospace (later BAE Systems), was to take formal technical responsibility for most of that company’s heritage products, estimated to be in the order of 2,000 aircraft still active around the world. 

In association with the founding CEO, the late Group Captain Bill Taylor, Dr Miller was faced with establishing the new company’s credentials, procuring appropriate staff for a headquarters opened in what was a disused barrack block at Duxford Airfield, and negotiating with the UK Civil Aviation Authority for all necessary Approvals to allow DHSL to function as the world-wide technical authority as demanded by the legal agreement signed by British Aerospace/BAE Systems.

In addition to his company obligations, Dr Miller completed a more than twenty-year restoration project, with his father, of a DH.89 Dragon Rapide, achieved a twin rating and a Display Authorisation on the type and for many years flew the Duxford-based aircraft for displays and promotions largely for the benefit of the Imperial War Museum. In addition, Dr Miller restored his own Cirrus-powered Auster and a DH.87B Hornet Moth and is currently engaged in the total rebuild of a DH.85 Leopard Moth.

For several years he was custodian and display pilot of a vintage Klemm Eagle operating on behalf of an owner based overseas, and for ten years until 2025 maintained and demonstrated a DH.83 Fox Moth as approved by her New Zealand based owner, which operation required delicate negotiations with British and New Zealand Airworthiness Authorities to permit concessions for a foreign-registered aircraft to be certified, maintained and flown in the UK bearing British markings.

Since before the establishment of DHSL, Mark Miller has led by example, exhibiting excellence. Now, heading a unique operation in the world of general/vintage aviation, often working against what seems like overwhelming odds, the company continues its world-wide support of products for which the British industry should be justly proud and which Dr Miller continues to demonstrate and educate at every opportunity.

In recognition of an outstanding contribution to General Aviation, Dr Mark Miller is awarded the Sword of Honour.

1972/73  J C Ward Esq

1973/74  Gatwick ATC

1974/75  Edward Day Esq 

1976  not awarded

1976/77  Captain E Thurston

1977/78  R D Campbell Esq

1978/79  John H Blake Esq

1980  not awarded

1980/81  Giles Kershaw Esq

1981/82  H G Pattison Esq

1982/83  Dick Smith Esq

1983/84  The Royal Flying Doctors Service of Australia

1984/85  John Thorpe Esq

1986  not awarded

1986/87  Miss Eve Jackson

1988 - 1989   not awarded

1989/90  Captain J G Green

1991  not awarded

1991/92  Frank E Young Esq

1993   not awarded

1993/94  Hugh M Kendall Esq

1994/95  The Royal Queensland Aero Club

1996 - 1997   not awarded

1997/98  (Roland) Lovat Fraser Esq

1998/99  Brian Lecomber

1999/2000  David Ogilvy OBE

2000/01  AVM Bertrand 'John' Brownlow

2002   not awarded

2002/03  Government Flying Services of Hong Kong

2003/04  Captain David Staveley

2004/05  David William Jupp

2005/06  WO1 Ronald Jack Watkins

2007  - 2009   not awarded

2009/10  Paul Bonhomme

2010/11  David Hamilton

2011/12  Gerald Charles Hackemer

2012/13  Peter Moxham

2013/14  John and Martha King

2015   not awarded

2016  Frederick O Marsh Esq

2017  awarded twice:
      National Police Air Service
      Stephen Grey

2018   Gerry Hermer AFC

2019   not awarded

2020   General Aviation Safety Council (GASCo) Regional Safety Officers

2021   Stuart McKay

2022  Past Master Robert Pooley MBE

2023  Francis Donaldson FRAeS

2024  Not awarded

2025  George A Bacon MBE