He graduated in civil engineering from the University of Liverpool in 1942 to join the Scientific Civil Service at the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE), Farnborough, engaged in flight research on aircraft at transonic and supersonic speeds. By 1955 he had become Superintendent of the Blind Landing Experimental Unit, ultimately at RAE Bedford, developing all-weather operation of civil and military aircraft and leading to the automatic landing systems now in use world-wide.

In 1963 he joined RAE Farnborough as Head of Instruments & Electrical Engineering, overseeing automatic flight control, bombing and navigation systems and cockpit displays; and two years later became Head of Weapons Department, covering R&D on all air armaments, including nuclear weapons and their delivery. By 1968 he had become Head of Research Planning at the Ministry of Technology, covering R&D in all sectors of the manufacturing industry, and a year later became the MoD Controller of Guided Weapons & Electronics for all Services.

In 1975 he was appointed Chief Scientist, Royal Air Force, with responsibilities including threat appreciation, operational analysis and techniques for aircrew selection and training. He was also a Member of the Air Force Board.

His final appointment, from 1977 to 1982, was as MoD Controller of R&D Establishments & Research for all Defence Science and Technology. He was Chief Scientist of all three Service Boards and Procurement Executive Management Boards, managing 12 R&D Establishments employing 28,000 staff. This made him Professional Head of MoD Scientists as well as MoD Representative on Cabinet Office Science & Technology Committees and Senior UK representative on NATO and international technical bodies.

After retirement from Government service, Sir John took up numerous appointments as consultant or trustee, including Chairman of the CAA R&D Programme Board, Specialist Adviser to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science & Technology, Chairman of the Shuttleworth Collection and President of the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE). He finally retired in 1997.

He was active within the Institute from very early days, and by 1960 had received our Bronze Medal. He became President from 1987 to 1990, and in 2001 was awarded the Institute's Gold Medal, given in recognition of 'an outstanding contribution to navigation'. He also received awards from other bodies associated with the air, including the Royal Aeronautical Society, Royal Academy of Engineering and what was the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators. He was appointed Companion of the Bath (CB) in 1973 and knighted in 1981.

We have lost a past-President who was not only a world leader in post-war air development, but wonderful company and a good friend to many of us. We pass our condolences to his family.

The funeral will take place on Friday 5 November at 11.30am at Easthampstead Park Crematorium, RG40 3DW.  Please email admin@rin.org.uk if you would like to attend. The service will be available to watch on the day and then from 2 days afterwards for a month.  Use Username joga4231 and Password 004595 at website https://watch.obitus.com

The family wish there to be no flowers but donations, if wished, may be made to Parkinson’s UK or Farnborough Air Sciences Trust through  Co-op Funeralcare, Farnborough

                        John Charnley          4 September 1922  -  28 September 2021

The Senior Coroner for north-west Wales said that an “open verdict” would be recorded, due to insufficient evidence that could provide a detailed reason for Prof Last's death.

The summary of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report, published on 29 October 2020, states:

“The aircraft was on a local flight when it descended into the sea, killing the pilot. No definitive cause for the accident could be found. There was no evidence of a structural failure leading to the accident and a trial to replicate the final flight profile discounted a full or partial engine failure. The trial concluded that it was likely the aircraft required an input on the controls in order to enter and maintain the recorded final descent path. The pilot had recently been unwell but there was no evidence of medical incapacitation, although this could not be dismissed as a possible cause.”

Further details from BBC Wales

Full AAIB report from the AAIB

John was the editor of Sailing Today between 2001 and 2007, with his step-by-step articles becoming widely known for their practical, real-world advice. He designed the “John Goode’s Cockpit Plotter”, which thousands of people still use.

The sailing school that John bought, Southern Sailing, quickly became one of the best-regarded and busiest sailing schools in the country thanks to John’s approach and input. One of the many instructors assessed by John was Dame Ellen MacArthur, who visited Southern Sailing for her RYA Yachtmaster Instructor ticket before she set off on her round Britain voyage in 1995.

During his role as editor of Sailing Today, John asked Sir Patrick Sinclair to examine Crown Estate claims on the seabed, which were causing mooring holders in estuaries around the coast untenable fee hikes. The resulting articles were the source of pride for John and, according to Sailing Today, were typical of John’s interest in protecting the underdog.
John was awarded Fellowship of the RIN in the latter half of his career, at a time when he became a sought-after instructor for merchant mariners and did a lot of behind the scenes work for the maritime industry, such as his extensive input behind some of the most popular displays at the London and Southampton boat shows. He carried on instructing throughout and, most recently, even taught sailing in Ukraine.

There have been many tributes pouring in for John from the maritime world, including from our own President-elect, Cynthia Robinson OBE FRIN:

“John’s enthusiasm for sharing his sailing and navigation expertise was second to none. Southern Sailing quickly developed a reputation as the ‘go to’ school when it burst on to the Solent scene with a ‘real’ merchant seaman at the helm. John always seemed to be thinking of ways he could make positive changes to the teaching of sailing and navigation.
“Down to earth yet amiable and approachable, John presented an unusual mixture of charisma and clarity of thought. He could always be found at boat shows, often still wearing his motor bike jacket following a long ride to the venue.

“He never failed to stop to chat and invariably we fell into deep conversation about the many ways we saw to encourage sailors to gain the skills and expertise required to face challenges at sea.

“The Royal Institute of Navigation was delighted to award John its prestigious Fellowship for his exceptional and inspirational work. John will be sorely missed by his many friends and the large number sailors and navigators he inspired throughout his career.”

Our Patron since 1953.

Much loved and admired by all at the Royal Institute of Navigation.

You had an abiding interest in everything to do with navigation, particularly aligning new innovations with traditional skills.

Thank you, Sir.

Our condolences to the the Queen and the Royal Family.

His early life was dominated by being interned during WWII with his parents and sibling in a Japanese ‘assembly centre’, which he termed a ‘concentration camp’, in the Far East. Fifty years later he was elected to the committee of the Association of British Civilian Internees Far East Region, which was fighting for compensation for civilians who had suffered in the camps. He later became Chairman of the Far East Association and was awarded the MBE.

At the age of 18, Bridge joined the RAF and trained as a navigator, serving in Egypt on 216 Sqn and in Singapore. In the mid-60s, he was detached to the Royal Canadian Air Force and was awarded the AFC for ‘acts of exemplary gallantry’. He left the RAF in 1972 and flew as a commercial pilot before becoming a director of British Airways.

He joined the Institute in 1985 and became a Fellow in 1989. He was also a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society and became Master of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN), which is now the Honourable Company of Air Pilots.

We pass our condolences to Ron’s wife and family.

Ronald Bridge MBE AFC FRIN      3 March 1934 - 27 September 2020

Details and pic from The Times

A Memorial Service for Walter Blanchard on 9 October is available on-line.

Past-President Walter died on 8 March, in his 90th year but before his 90th birthday - see previous news

So his wife, Anne, and family have arranged a Memorial Service in the home-town of Dorking on what would have been his 90th birthday - 9 October 2020.  The Service, at 1230 BST, can be viewed on Zoom  (Meeting ID: 946 9760 5569, Passcode: 022325). Ignore the stated time if wrong.

In light of COVID restrictions, the planned following Reception, with speakers from family and friends, had to be cancelled, but has been replaced by a comprehensive booklet of Memories, which can be downloaded as blanchard_memories.pdf

We have lost a remarkable Past-President and, to many of us, a wonderful friend. Our thoughts will be with Anne and their family on 9 October - let as many of us as possible join them through Zoom.

Walter was a RAF navigator from 1948 to 1957, mainly on transport aircraft in the UK and Far East, where he was the sole survivor of a Valetta crash into the jungle. Later, he also ejected from a Canberra aircraft over the North Sea.

He then spent 15 years with the Decca Navigator Company, being closely involved with the development of Decca Navigator, Loran-C and other LF systems, and flying extensively in the company’s demonstration aircraft.

In the early '70s, Walter was heavily involved with Redifon in the development of satellite navigation in the US, resulting in the formation of 'Transit', which he introduced to the European marine market. By 1976 he was was back at Decca Survey, later to become Racal Decca, specialising in Transit for geodetic use. In 1986 he became an independent consultant and was involved in the first use of differential GPS in the 'Skyfix' system, using Inmarsat satellites.

Walter was awarded Institute Fellowship in 1988 and became Chairman of the Technical Committee and Vice-President, later to become President in 1993-96. He was very active in his Presidential role, ensuring that we led the way in European navigation activity and insisting that the Institute become a very early user of the internet with 'www.rin.org.uk'.

He was awarded the Institute’s Bronze Medal in 1991 and Gold in 1995, and also received the US ION’s Thurlow Award. He was also a Livery member of GAPAN, later to become the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, a Freeman of the City of London and Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society.

The Institute has lost a wonderful past leader and many members have lost a good friend. We pass our deepest condolences to Walter’s wife, Anne, and their family.

A family funeral will take place on 1 April, with a celebration of Walter's life planned for early October.

Walter F Blanchard       9 October 1930 - 7 March 2020

Keith had been an amateur yachtsman for many years, sailing 25-30ft boats in European waters from Scandinavia to Ireland in pre-GPS days. He was also a microlight pilot; indeed, he was first seen in Institute circles as a TopNav competitor, flying a flexi-wing microlight out of White Waltham.

He was an enormous supporter of the Institute, having been chairman of the History of Air Navigation Group since 2006. In this role he had personally produced regular high-quality newsletters and run fascinating meetings; he had also jointly arranged a handful of general history conferences. Additionally, he had generated a database of air navigation instruments and techniques, and was in the process of creating an associated web-based virtual museum.

In this role, Keith had been a member of the Technical Committee and, since 2013, he had also been a member of Council.

We will miss Keith’s contribution terribly, and his many Institute colleagues and friends will miss his company. We pass our heartfelt condolences to Keith’s wife and family.

The funeral will be held at 1315 on 8 January at Chichester Crematorium. Members would be welcome.

P K Hope-Lang    3 September 1940 - 16 December 2019

Educated at Manchester Grammar School, he gained a BSc(Eng) at the University of Bristol in 1961, a PhD at the University of Sheffield in 1966 and, in 1995, a DSc at the University of Wales, Bangor, where he held a Personal Chair and was Head of the Radio-Navigation Group until retirement in 2005, when he became a Professor Emeritus.

David was a huge supporter of the Institute, having joined in 1972 and becoming President from 2005 to 2008. He was also a Past-President of the International Loran Association, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and a Chartered Engineer. In 2010 he was awarded our Institute's Harold Spencer-Jones Gold Medal and, in 2015, the Necho Award of the International Association of Institutes of Navigation.

He had also published over 500 technical and policy papers on navigation and communications systems, including GPS and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems, Loran C and enhanced Loran, as well as on older systems such as Decca Navigator and Omega.

David also acted as a consultant on radio-navigation and communications to companies, governmental and international organisations worldwide. And, since 2006, he had been active as an expert witness, especially in forensic matters concerning GPS; he had advised over 250 court hearings.

He was an experienced instrument-rated pilot, for many years owning his own aircraft and often flying himself to European conferences. But of late he had sold his aircraft and instead hired aircraft from his home airfield of Caernarfon. His final flight on 25 November was solo from there in a hired Cessna 172, which disappeared from radar over the sea off Anglesey. His body was recovered on 12 December by the North West Police Underwater Search and Marine Unit. The aircraft was located by the Bangor University Oceanographic Research Vessel, the Prince Madoc.

The Institute has received countless tributes to David and many have appeared in associated publications. He was, without doubt, one of our most learned and active members, an outstanding speaker and wonderful company. We pass our heartfelt condolences to his wife and family.

Over 200 mourners attended a Memorial Service at Bangor University on 23 January. Many Institute ties were seen and our Director, John Pottle, gave the final moving eulogy. The cause of the accident is still reported to be 'under investigation'.

In Lieu of flowers the family are asking those who wish to donate to visit JustGiving

J D Last     3 March 1940 - 25 November 2019

"Pinky" - he claimed to be so named due to his rosy cheeks whilst in training - joined the RAF in 1942 and trained as a navigator in Canada. He immediately found himself navigating large transport aircraft across the Atlantic until he attended what became the Staff Navigation Course. This resulted in him serving as Navigation Leader on No 24(Commonwealth) Squadron, flying VIPs around the world; as a result he was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1947.

In 1951, he attended the Specialist Navigation Course, leading to his long association with operational requirements and testing of navigation and weapons systems. During the course, he became a member of the crew that took the Lincoln ‘Aries III’ on its historic flight to the North Pole.

The SpecN qualification led Pinky to tours in Operational Requirements Directorates in the MoD, as Chief Experimental Navigational Officer at Boscombe Down, Senior RAF Officer at the Defence Operational Analysis Establishment and Director of Navigation Staff at the RAF College of Air Warfare, Manby. Other postings ranged from Singapore to Cyprus and Canada. Whilst at Boscombe Down he was awarded the Johnson Memorial Trophy by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators in 1962 and received the CBE in 1969; he retired from the RAF in 1977.

On leaving the RAF, he became Director Europe of the US company Singer Kearfott, later to merge with GEC-Marconi Electronics Systems Corporation, a post he held in Brussels until retiring in 1990.

Pinky’s devotion to the Royal Institute of Navigation was without equal. He joined in 1949, received Fellowship in 1954 and became an Honorary Fellow in 2013. He was for many years active on the Technical Committee and became its Chairman in 1987, sat on Council three times and was appointed Institute Vice-President in 1970-72 and President 1996-99.

But it is in the animal navigation world that Pinky is still held in the highest esteem, having been involved in the formation of the Animal Navigation Special Interest Group as well as the inauguration of its triennial conference in 1989; he was still a member of the 2019 Conference organising committee. He also set up and ran the Group’s Forum, which holds over 15,000 complete research papers and informs members of new additions each week.

Pinky was also wonderful and generous company to old and young alike; although unable to attend this year’s conference, he donated many £1,000s to enabling students to register themselves and for all to enjoy a glass of port at the final dinner.

In the words of the Group’s current leader, Dr Miriam Liedvogel:
’The Animal Navigation Group looses a wonderful, passionate, clever, humorous and, on many levels, truly unique person - and in essence its founder. We should remember the happy moments - of which there were many.'

Pinky's last request of his carers on the evening before he died was, appropriately, a gin & tonic in bed. He was predeceased by his wife, Jean, in 2007. We pass our deepest condolences to his son and daughter, Paul and Sue, and their families.

D F H ‘Pinky’ Grocott     8 February 1923 - 27 October 2019

He graduated from Cranfield University in 1983 with a MSc in Aerospace and gained an MBA at Westminster University whilst working for National Air Traffic Services (NATS). But after 5 years with NATS, in 1988 he emigrated to the US, where he spent the rest of his working life.

Starting as Senior Aviation Consultant at MSI Services working on aircraft landing technologies, after a couple of years he moved to Booz Allen and Hamilton as Head of Aeronautical Technologies.

He then became co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Rannoch Corp from 1991 to 2006, followed by chairing Era Systems Corp for a couple of years, and then completing his working career as MD of Sepia Wave, Seattle.

Alex had become an international authority on air communications, navigation, surveillance and traffic management. He had published over 50 technical papers and had over 40 patents to his name. He was a senior member of numerous learned and regulatory bodies but considered his Institute Fellowship to be a ‘tremendous honour’.

We pass our condolences to Alex’s wife and family.

Dr Alexander E Smith     1960 - 2019

James, from Trinidad and Tobago, spent many years at sea in dry-cargo ships, bulk carriers and tankers before commanding passenger and cargo vessels for a further 10 years.

After then serving in Maritime Administration in Jamaica, he joined the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), London, as Head of the Africa/Caribbean Section of the Technical Co-operation Division and was soon promoted to Senior Deputy Director of that Division, with responsibility for providing technical assistance in maritime transport to developing countries.

He held BA and MA degrees in International Relations and Maritime Law and, as well as being a Fellow of our Institute, held fellowship of the Nautical Institute and other transport- and business-orientated institutes.

We pass our deepest condolences to James’ wife, 5 children and their families.

James H A Martin           4 July 1933 - 4 August 2019

Alan joined the RAF in 1951 and trained as a pilot, later to become a qualified flying instructor. Most of his flying was associated with maritime patrol duties on Shackleton and Nimrod aircraft, with which he also undertook research and development work. He was involved in the acceptance-into-service of the Nimrod, subsequently deriving the pilot training programme for the Operational Conversion Unit.

Retiring from the RAF in 1970, he then spent over 20 years as an aircraft captain with Danair, rising to become a training captain and instrument rating examiner and filling various posts within the Operations Department. He was also an active representative to the British and International Air Transport Associations (BATA and IATA).

But Alan was also an experienced offshore yachtsman and, on joining the Institute in the early '90s, became an active member of the Small Craft Group, becoming a full-time committee member by 1996 and later chairing the Group. He was instrumental in forging links with Trinity House, serving on some of their committees and obtaining their sponsorship for joint stands at London Boat Shows. He was also instrumental in starting the Joint RIN/RMetS Weather and Sailing Seminars, which are still running. He became an active member of the Institute's Technical Committee as well as the Membership and Fellowship Awards Panel. He was awarded Fellowship in 1998 and served on the Institute's Council from 2003 to 2006.

Alan will be sorely missed by many Institute members and we convey our heartfelt condolences to his family. The funeral will be held at 1130 on 30 August at Salisbury Crematorium, SP1 3JB, followed by a reception at the White Horse Inn, Downton, SP5 3LY. Colleagues would be welcome; if possible please let admin@rin.org.uk know if attending.

                  Alan Victor Cherry    5 December 1932 - 7 August 2019

Rear Admiral (Robert) Michael Burgoyne CB was educated at Bradfield College and then Magdalene College, Cambridge. He joined the Royal Navy in 1944 and, after training as a navigator and later as an aircraft controller, went on to enjoy an illustrious career.

His career included: Commanding Officer HMS Cleopatra 1967-68; Captain 2nd Frigate Squadron and Commanding Officer HMS Undaunted 1972-73; Director, Maritime Tactical School 1974-75; Commanding Officer HMS Antrim 1975-77; Commander, British Navy Staff, Washington and UK Representative to SACLANT 1977-80; Senior Naval Member, Directing Staff, Royal College of Defence Studies 1980-82.

Mike retired from the Royal Navy as a Rear Admiral at the age of 55. He had been appointed as Aide-de-Camp to The Queen and became a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 1982 Birthday Honours.

Mike replaced Mike Richey, the founding Director of the Royal Institute of Navigation, in 1983 - a time when computers were in their infancy but there was no World Wide Web. During his 10-year tenure, amongst many innovations, Mike oversaw the introduction of Special Interest Groups, the launch of Navigation News and the inauguration of what became the NAV series of conferences. Mike not only made a great contribution to Institute affairs but, with a rich sense-of-humour, ran an HQ that was a pleasure to visit.

After his retirement as Director of the Royal Institute of Navigation, in 1998 Mike was awarded the JED Williams Silver Medal for 'an outstanding contribution to the affairs of the Institute' and was awarded Honorary Fellowship in 2001.

Mike then became a very active member of the National Coastwatch Institution, including Deputy Station Manager (Operations) at Portland Bill. Mike was also Vice-President Sea Safety Group (UK) 1992-96 and Chairman of West Dorset District Scout Council 1995-97.

Mike suffered a fall from which he did not recover. He did not want a funeral but had asked that he should 'go out in a party spirit'.  This occurred on 11 August, when his successor as Director, David Broughton, gave a eulogy at an event in his village of Uploders, Dorset.

We pass our heartfelt condolences to Mike's partner, Beryl.

Robert Michael Burgoyne     1927 - 2019