3 January 2023
Three aviators have been named in the King’s 2023 New Year’s Honours List for services to aviation.
They include two names well known to General Aviation pilots: Steve Slater, CEO of the Light Aircraft Association (LAA), and Tony Rapson, former head of the CAA’s GA Unit and now GA Coordinator for the Airspace Change Organising Group (ACOG).
The third is Lt Cmdr Anthony Eagles RN, a Helicopter Policy Specialist at the Civil Aviation Authority, who was named for services to Aviation Safety.
In addition, Robert Pooley MBE, founder of Pooleys Flight Equipment, was also made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order for services to the Royal Household as MD of Pooleys Sword.
Stephen Slater was awarded an MBE for services to diversity in the aviation industry, reflecting his work with everything from vintage aviation to the latest eVTOL types, as well as his support of organisations such as the British Womens’ Pilots Association and Aerobility, and developing LAA initiatives to encourage young peoples’ interest in flying.
These include working with LAA Struts and Member Clubs to develop young peoples’ aviation adventure days, build-a-plane projects, aviation art competitions at air shows and also expanding the LAA’s Armstrong Isaacs Bursary scheme to support more young student pilots from all backgrounds in achieving their flying goals. In addition, Stephen co-authored the book “An Airfield Adventure” for 7- to 11-year-olds, to explain what goes on at small airfields.
Tony Rapson, centre, with the LAA’s Francis Donaldson and Steve Slater
Tony Rapson’s MBE was awarded for services to General Aviation and to Aviation Safety. His career began as a military air traffic controller in the RAF, before becoming General Manager of the largest military Air Traffic Control Unit in Europe.
We spoke to Tony Rapson about his role at ACOG last September here
Since leaving the RAF at the rank of Group Captain, Tony worked in various roles for the CAA and the Department for Transport, including setting up the CAA’s dedicated General Aviation Unit, delivering the General Aviation Safety Strategy, and contributing to the Single European Sky and the UK’s Future Airspace strategy.
Lt Cmdr Anthony Eagles retired from the CAA in 2022 after a 50+ year career in aviation, which including being awarded the Air Force Cross in 1978 for the rescue of 12 of the 33 crew from the oil rig Orion that ran aground on Guernsey in severe storm force winds.
Click here for the full 2023 New Year’s Honours List
