Mike Smith , a Titan of the aviation world, died peacefully on 17 March, with his carer on one side, Hari the dog on the other and his children on the phone. Mike was a living legend and in 2022 was the 1st to be presented with Royal Aero Club Chairman’s Award for his lifetime contribution to the world of civilian helicopter flight.
Leaving Mercers College in the mid-fifties, Mike’s headmaster described him as a “plausible rogue.” Expected to join his father and grandfather at law firm Herbert Smith, he lasted just two years before walking into the Admiralty one lunchtime and announcing, “I’ve come to join the Navy—I want to fly.” His nerve paid off, launching a distinguished Fleet Air Arm career.
An exceptional pilot, Mike achieved Master Green standard—maintaining remarkable precision in speed, height, and bearing, and often exceeded Master Green tolerances by flying “needle’s width”. He later became deputy Examiner for Naval Helicopter Command Instrument Rating.
As a naval aviator Smith help set up the Royal Navy’s first SAR Squadron.
His eight years as a naval officer included being part of the first Search and Rescue unit at Culdrose, earning a Queen’s Commendation for Bravery, though he always credited his crew for their bravery boarding a pleasure yacht at night, in a storm, all he had done was fly he explained. In saving the yacht and its crew, it was the first and last time a yacht was towed by helicopter.
In Borneo with 848 Squadron, he helped establish the forward jungle base at Nanga Ghat. He lead with humility and teamwork, where rank mattered little and everyone shared the workload, whether that was cooks passing wrenches or pilots doing the washing up. No man slept until the day’s tasks were complete.
His rescue of nine injured soldiers deep in the jungle went remarkably unrecognised due to award limits. In a daring mission, he was lowered through the canopy with explosives and detonators strapped to his waist to clear a landing zone.
His wife Mary once travelled from Cornwall to Singapore using RAF flights and even joined him briefly in the jungle—hidden in a helicopter tail boom locker.
After leaving the Navy, Mike’s 55-year flying career continued with distinction. He flew a conservative estimate 27,000 miles. Among his many remarkable achievements, he flew around the world in 13 days, 14 hours, and 40 minutes. Mike worked with the Police and LBC as London’s first “Eye in the Sky”. He flew for films including, the first series of Doctor Who, The Avengers, Red Baron, Oh What a Lovely War, and most famously the final scene of The Italian Job. He formed close ties with figures such as John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
His discretion and humility, coupled with his skill, made him a trusted pilot for a wide arc of prominent individuals. He won medal after medal in the British Helicopter Championships for his precision flying and represented Britain at the FAI World Helicopter Championships many times, continuing to win medals.
Mike was also known for direct and honest opinions. He was an instructor of instructors. An examiner of examiners. Mike served as chairman of the Helicopter Instructor Examiner Panel until it was disbanded by the CAA. In Mike’s words the CAA stood for “Campaign Against Aviation (which) fails to adequately describe the manner in which they have relentlessly presided over the sad decline of UK aviation” .
Mike built and sold several successful helicopter businesses, sold more helicopters in one year than any other company worldwide but his greatest commitment was to mentoring and investing in others. He influenced and changed the course of so many people both in and out of aviation. He gave people opportunities and was so proud of those who seized them.
Retiring in 2009 at 71, he settled in Cyprus with his beloved wife, Mary. He never truly recovered from losing her to dementia in 2024. He remained active and sociable to his last. He found new people to mentor. He played pool on his final day, winning 7–5.
His funeral was well attended by Cypriots and Expats who held him in great respect. He will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, kindness and humility. Above all, Mike was a raconteur who captivated audiences without ever boasting.
The truth about the identity of the “stunt pilot” who flew under the Skye Bridge can finally be revealed, this surely would have lost him his licence!
Smith is survived by his aviator son, Q, with his three aviator children and his sailor daughter, Sarx, with her two sailor children.
Images: Smith family archive
