Lt Cdr Tony Eagles AFC RN

Lt Cdr Tony Eagles AFC RN

Awarded the MBE for Services to Aviation Safety

FAAOA member, Lieutenant Commander Tony Eagles AFC Royal Navy, was awarded the MBE for Services to Aviation Safety in the New Year Honours List. 

Tony, who was as a Helicopter pilot and instructor in the Fleet Air Arm for 34 years before becoming a Flight Operations Policy Specialist with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), was recognised for his outstanding contribution to aviation safety across the national and international civil aviation sector.

Tony’s high standards and exemplary attitude were cited as being of direct and immense benefit to aviation safety. “It is an award that is richly deserved, not only for Tony’s deep specialist expertise and professionalism but for his honesty and kindness to so many of us in the CAA”, said a colleague. “He always went the extra mile and had time for everyone. His exceptional experience, invaluable depth of knowledge and wise council were central to improvement in many areas of critical regulatory work”.

 “It’s a real honour to be recognised for my part in many years work to improve the operational safety standards of all aspects of civil aviation,” said Tony.

Tony retired in 2022 after a distinguished career in aviation of over fifty years. Within the CAA, his responsibilities included setting policy for helicopter and air operations, offshore helicopter safety and managing General Aviation flight operations policy. He was heavily involved with developing international operational regulations and chaired several European rule-making groups.

Tony served as the Air Accident Investigation Advisor with the Royal Navy and the maritime helicopter specialist with the Defence Aviation Safety Centre, before joining the CAA in 2004. He was 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.