Last week we not only lost the consort to the Queen but also a “total aviation man”.  He was introduced to London City Airport by Her Majesty herself who uniquely returned from the airport opening 5 November 1997 on the Royal Barge to Westminster.  She told her guests on the trip that “Philip would enjoy a visit”.  Subsequently he was on board a Royal Flight BAe 146 visit on a number of occasions and flew the simulator at Hatfield.   In December 1952 HRH made his first solo flight over Windsor. His flying career lasted 44 years. In that time he'd flown 59 types of aircraft and logged over 5,000 pilot hours. He stopped flying in August of 1997.