Mark is recognised throughout the aviation industry as a masterful instructor in UPRT. His reputation is not only built on technical knowledge, but on his outstanding ability to teach. Mark has an instinctive understanding of how people learn under pressure, and his students consistently praise him for making complex flying concepts both accessible and memorable.

What makes Mark 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. His approach is built on clarity, empathy, and repetition of good habits, helping pilots develop the confidence and muscle memory they need to safely recover from unexpected upsets.

Mark creates a calm, supportive learning environment that allows students to push their limits while feeling safe and in control. He’s widely described as not just an expert instructor, but someone who genuinely connects with his students. Whether teaching nervous cadets or seasoned airline pilots, Mark ensures each session is tailored to individual needs while maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism.

His journey to becoming one of the UK's foremost UPRT instructors began with RAF fast jet training. A medical condition paused his flying career, but ten years later, after regaining his Class One medical, Mark returned to aviation with renewed passion—this time with a mission to teach. He played a central role in shaping modern UPRT standards, representing the UK on the EASA Rule Making Group that led to the introduction of mandatory on-aircraft UPRT in 2019.

As the lead UPRT instructor at Ultimate High, Mark has worked with pilots at every level, from ab initio cadets to test pilots and airline training captains. He is especially skilled at guiding students through the critical psychological elements of UPRT—particularly the startle and surprise effects that can undermine decision-making during real-world upsets. His structured, intuitive teaching focuses on situational awareness, resilience, and timely, effective control inputs.

Under his leadership, Ultimate High has become a centre of instructional excellence in UPRT, trusted by major organisations including Rolls-Royce, Boeing, AirTanker, and the AAIB. Mark’s training isn’t just effective—it’s transformational, consistently leaving pilots better prepared and more confident.

Beyond the cockpit, Mark actively shares his knowledge across the aviation community. He regularly presents at major conferences such as EATS, speaks at safety seminars, and contributes thought-leadership articles to industry publications. His advice is sought by regulatory bodies including CASA (Australia) and the Kenyan CAA. Through webinars, livestreams, and public writing, Mark continues to improve how UPRT is understood and delivered across the industry.

Students and peers speak with admiration, describing him as “an exceptional instructor” who combines technical brilliance with real human connection. His training is frequently called “vital,” “practical,” and “inspiring.”

Mark has not only set a benchmark for instructional excellence in UPRT—he’s helped redefine what world-class flight instruction looks like. His impact on pilot safety, confidence, and skill is lasting and profound.  He is a very deserving recipient of the Cumberbatch Trophy. 

1936/37  Imperial Airways
Sqn Ldr H G Brackley DSO DSC, F J Bailey Esq, W Rodgers Esq AFM, F Dismore Esq,
LA Walters Esq, H J Horsey Esq, O P Jones Esq, A S Wilcockson Esq, A B H Youell Esq

1937/38  Olley Air Services
Captain G P Olley MM, T W Morton Esq, C W H Bebb Esq, F R Midgley Esq, R D Morrison Esq,
J Dendy Esq, G E B Stoney Esq, J E B Scott Esq

1938/39  Messers Wrightways Ltd
J W Duggan Esq, F Brent Esq, P C Fair Esq, G G Stead Esq

1948/49  Air Cdre H G Brackley CBE DSO DSC

1949/50  Aer Lingus

1950/51  No. 3 Line B.O.A.C.

1951/52  Tasman Empire Airways Limited

1952/53  Professor E S Calvert BSc ARSc

1953/54  British West Indian Airways

1954/55  Silver City Airways Ltd

1955/56  Captain W B Calldwell & Captain E W Jorden and Flying Staff, British European Airways, Channel Islands Services

1956/57  Malayan Airways Limited

1957/58  Trans-Australian Airlines

1959/60  James Martin Esq CBE

1960/61  Royal Air Force, Institute of Aviation Medicine

1961/62  Aden Airways Limited

1962/63  D P Davies Esq

1963/64  Blind Landing Experimental Unit of the Royal Aircraft Establishment

1964/65  John Wright Gibbs Esq MBE (posthumous)

1965/66  Britannia 102 + 312 Flights BOAC

1966/67  Dr E S Calvert OBE & J W Sparks Esq

1967/68  W E B Griffiths Esq CBE

1968/69  J A Karran Esq OBE

1969/70  Captain E N Jennings MBE DFC

1970/71  Qantas Airways Limited

1971/72  Captain Frank Ormonroyd DFM MA & Captain Eric L R Poole

1972/73  John W Wilson Esq

1973/74  J F M Moyle Esq

1974/75  John Henri Grant Esq

1975/76  S Gordon Corps Esq

1976/77  Joint Airmiss Working Group (Chairman: Group Captain David Hughes DFC AFC)

1978  not awarded

1978/79  Captain Frank H Hawkins

1979/80  Captain Philip Brentnall DFC

1980/81  John Michael Ramsden Esq

1981/82  VC10 Flight of British Airways

1982/83  Captain T L J Lakin W H Grice Esq Captain P J Hunt (British Airways 'All Weather' Team)

1984 - 1989  not awarded

1989/90  Qantas Airways Limited

1991 - 1992  not awarded

1992/93  Ronald Ashford Esq

1993/94  Ken M Carpenter PhD

1994/95  William D Reynard Esq

1995/96  British Airways Safety Services

1996/97  Don Bateman Esq

1998  not awarded

1999/2000  John Thorpe MRAeS

2000/01  R Curtis Graeber PhD FRAeS

2001/02  S Eric Clark BSc CEng FRAeS

2003  not awarded

2003/04  Alan R Jacobsen PhD

2004/05  Stuart Mathews

2005/06  Kathy Abbott PhD MSc FRAeS

2007 - 2010  not awarded

2010/11  James Ray Klinect PhD and the LOSA Collaborative

2011/12  Harbour Air Seaplanes

2013 - 2014  not awarded

2014/15  Hugh Browning

2016   not awarded

2017  Cdr Ian S Fitter RN

2018  Michael O'Donoghue CBE

2019  WOI Peter R Balcomb AAC

2020  Master Air Engineer Stephen Hammond

2021  Tim Tucker

2022  Dr Ratan Khatwa

2023  Lieutenant Craig Allen RN

2024  Rachel Fricker