Trophies and Awards announced for 2025

TROPHIES AND AWARDS 2025

Aviators Recognised for their Bravery, Outstanding Contributions and Achievements 
in the Honourable Company of Air Pilots’ Annual Trophies and Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                                        7 OCTOBER 2025

British astronaut Tim Peake is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Award of Honour from City Livery Company the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, for his outstanding and enduring contribution to aviation. Inspired to get into aviation from attending air shows with his father, Peake passed out from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as an Army officer, before training as a helicopter pilot and instructor. He later graduated from the Empire Test Pilots’ School, Boscombe Down, and was accepted into the European Space Agency program in 2009 in preparation for a mission to the International Space Station, becoming in 2016 the first official British astronaut to walk in space.

Peake was nominated for the Award of Honour not only to recognise his very significant achievements in aviation and astronautics, but also his ongoing enthusiasm and encouragement to the youth of the UK to pursue interests and careers in engineering, aviation and astronaut training.

The Air Pilots’ Trophies and Awards are among the industry’s most prestigious because recipients are selected by their peers, who have decades of experience in military and civil aviation around the world. The awards are traditionally presented at London’s Guildhall on the last Thursday of October.

Another early brush with aviation sparked a life of adventure for Jon Gowdy, this year’s recipient of The Hanna Trophy for the art of displaying fighter aircraft, named in memory of distinguished father and son display pilots Ray and Mark Hanna. Gowdy started gliding aged 14, later joining Air Atlantique at Coventry where he flew various aircraft including the DC-3 Dakota. His day job flying with British Airways supported his life in the display world, with his skill and maturity as an exceptional aerobatic and formation pilot being rewarded with being invited to fly warbird aircraft, starting with the Spitfire. His mastery of high-performance machines is matched by his deep technical understanding. Gowdy is now Chief Pilot for the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford, where he is responsible for overseeing all flying operations including film and TV work, pilot selection, training and test flying. Having now been displaying for 24 years, Gowdy’s reputation is one of exemplary skill and leadership in his field. At only 42, he has already amassed 11,600 hours in 82 aircraft types and is renowned for his skilled displays and for leading mass formations of historic warbirds.

This year’s Brackley Memorial Trophy for an outstanding contribution to air transport is awarded to Captain Christian Maude of the United States Air Force. In remembrance of the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord during World War II, U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s 86th Airlift Wing conducted D-Day commemoration flights with multiple C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from June 2 to 7, 2024. 

Based at Cherbourg Airport in Normandy, the deployment was organised by Maude, at the time based at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. This included airframes deployed from US Air Force and Air National Guard airlift squadrons from around the world, many with lineage dating back to the Second World War.

The commemorative events were designed to honour the sacrifices of U.S. and allied service members made 80 years ago in securing peace and security, and inspiring future generations to value a collective vision of global peace. This included high tempo training operations throughout the week, flying media and VIPs to showcase the capabilities of today’s air forces while participating in anniversary memorial services.

The Cumberbatch Trophy for an outstanding contribution to aviation safety is awarded to Mark Greenfield of Ultimate High, recognised throughout the aviation industry as a masterful instructor in Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT). Greenfield’s reputation is not only built on technical knowledge but an outstanding ability to teach, with an instinctive understanding of how people learn under pressure. What makes Greenfield exceptional is his ability to translate high-risk, high-stress flying scenarios into simple, practical steps that pilots can understand, recall and apply – particularly when it matters most. He’s widely described as not just an expert instructor but someone who genuinely connects with his students, redefining what world-class flight instruction looks like. His impact on pilot safety, confidence and skill is lasting and profound.

The eagerly anticipated Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award goes for the second year running to the crew of HM Coastguard’s Rescue 936 for their exceptional courage and professionalism during a life-saving mountain rescue on Yr Wyddfa in severe winter weather. Captain David Kenyon, Co-pilot Charlie Brown, Winch Operator Mark Tomblin, Winch Paramedic Neil Cooper and Winch Operator Under Training Geraint Morris were tasked to assist Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team with a casualty suffering critical head and spinal injuries, the crew operated in blizzard conditions, low cloud and fading light, often with visibility of only a few metres. 

Displaying remarkable skill and teamwork, they navigated steep slopes in near-zero visibility to insert their Winch-Paramedic and safely recover both patient and rescuer. As conditions worsened and fuel levels fell, the crew calmly executed a controlled descent and improvised landing in a remote valley, continuing to provide vital care until medical teams arrived. Their decisive actions, teamwork and composure under extreme pressure directly saved a life. The crew of R936 exemplified the very highest standards of service and dedication.

More information:

For further information please contact the Honourable Company of Air Pilots at:

+44 (0) 20 7404 4032 or pr1@airpilots.org

A full list of awards recipients is available at: https://www.airpilots.org/what-we-do/trophies-and-awards/

Notes to editors:

1.       The Honourable Company of Air Pilots ‘The Air Pilots’ was established as the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators in 1929. It is based in London but has an internationally based membership of professional and private pilots. The principal activities of the organisation are centred on developing action and activities to ensure that aircraft are piloted and navigated safely by aviators who are highly competent, self-reliant, dependable and respected.

2.       The Air Pilots support the education and training of pilots from the initial instruction of young pilots to specialist training at the highest levels. Through its charitable activities, education and training, technical committees, aircrew selection, scholarships and sponsorships, advice and recognition of the achievements of fellow aviators worldwide, the Honourable Company keeps itself at the forefront of the aviation world.

3.       The Air Pilots also provides expert, impartial input to regulators, government and media on areas including aviation and the environment, airport capacity in South East England, aircrew flight time limitations and the maintenance of piloting skills in increasingly automated aircraft. Air Pilots experts are also available to all media on request, to ensure accurate and fully informed reporting of any aviation events. If you need our assistance, please contact us on the number or e-mail addresses above.

ENDS