Awarded to an individual, a group, team or organisation, which has made an outstanding, original and practical contribution leading to the safer operation of aircraft or the survival of aircrew or passengers.

2010 awarded to: CAPTAIN LINC ALEXANDER

Retired Captain Linc Alexander has been a pilot nearly all his life, starting in 1951 at the age of 19 as a bush pilot in Northern Ontario with Superior Airways (710 hours on the Beech 18). Two years later he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on a six-year short-service commission. After obtaining his "wings" he spent the rest of his RCAF tour as a highly competent flying instructor on the much lauded Canadian NATO Flying Training Scheme 2,195 hours as a QFI, mostly flying Harvards, but also 143 hours as Captain or co-pilot on T-33s, before beginning the piloting career in which he excelled for his remaining 35 years in harness – ‘Fire Bombing’ forest fires from a variety of air tanker aircraft  (Stearman, TBM, F7F, S2F, A-26 and DC-6B - a grand total of 12,936 hours flying) for both Canadian and American forest fire fighting services.

Linc was truly a pioneer and not only excelled in this difficult and very dangerous occupation, which required hands-on flying in the most difficult conditions of wind effects in mountains, poor visibility, low altitude, convection and smoke effects from fires, and the variable effects of dropping heavy loads, but, whilst still carrying out his duties, conducted extensive experiments to determine the characteristics of fires, retardants, topography and aircraft, as well as techniques for safe flying with regard to these characteristics, to improve both safety and effectiveness of fire control by aircraft. In 1966 he published within the industry the first comprehensive manual on the topic ‘Pilot's Notes for Fire Bombing’, based on his experimental work and personal experience. In 1972, he published the definitive ‘bible’ on the topic ‘Air Attack on Forest Fires: History and Techniques’, illustrated with maps, diagrams, photographs, references, a glossary, and including a history of the development of ‘Fire Bombing’ again based on his first-hand experience and experimental work. His meticulous documentation of the techniques and pitfalls of ‘Fire Bombing’ not only meant fires were controlled more quickly, but also saved the lives of many, both in the air and on the ground. As a member of the test group at Kamloops in B.C., he was instrumental in establishing the ‘one strike’ concept that is now the basic ‘Fire Bombing’ strategy.

Linc was also called in as a consultant to evaluate the ‘S2-F Tracker’ for its suitability as a platform for ‘Fire Bombing’. He also played an important role in establishing proper working conditions for pilots within the industry, being one of the two principles who formed the first union in the profession, affiliated with the International Union of Operating Engineers. Obviously, this provided a degree of protection for those engaged in this dangerous occupation, and also contributed to safety.  In 2010, he published a book intended to bring knowledge of ‘Fire Bombing’ to the public that is also a partial autobiography: ‘Fire Bomber into Hell’.

In summary, Linc Alexander has given a lifetime of highly valuable public service as an air pilot, performing hazardous duties with great skill and effect for 35 years under the most difficult flying conditions.   Additionally, he addressed both the working conditions of his fellow pilots, and brought public awareness of, and esteem for, the air pilot profession of ‘Fire Bombing’, as well as improving the safety and effectiveness of this important and dangerous occupation by formalising and writing up the hazards and aims of ‘Fire Bombing’, along with the detailed piloting techniques.  He is accordingly awarded the Sir James Martin Award.

Previous Winners

1968 Lt Cdr Tarver

1969 Flt Lt R C Shuster

1970 Not Awarded

1971 Group Captain J K Mason

1972 Not Awarded

1973 Col W P Schane

1974 Not Awarded

1975 Group Captain A J Barwood

1976 E L Ripley Esq

1977 Flt Sgt D J Jones

1978 D Johnson Esq

1979 1 t Gommander D R Tay!or MBE

1980 Master Air Loadmaster David Bullock G C (posthumously)

1981 Geoffrey Harrison Esq

1982 Not Awarded

1983 Clifford Gaskell Esq

1984 Not Awarded

1985 Wg CdrR McCluskey AFC RAF

1986 Not Awarded

1987 AVM P H Howard

1988 Not Awarded

1989 Lt Cdr Paul Barton RN

1990-91 Not Awarded

1992 John W Chappelow Esq

1993 Not Awarded

1994 Flt. Lt. Kevin A Brooks

1995 Lieutenant Commander Paul Haywood RN

1996 Not Awarded

1997 Major J Norman Ryan MC

1998 Dr. Christopher Brooks, OMM,OstJ,CD,MBChB,DavMed,FFOM

1999 Air Accidents Investigation Branch Lockerbie Team

2000 CPO Terrence Allison

2001 Lieutenant Commander Clive Rawson RN

2002 Not Awarded

2003 Squadron Leader Jonathan James Harrison RAF

2004 Prof Helen Christine Muir OBE MA PhD CPsychol FRAeS

2005 John Freeman

2006 Captain John Cox

2007 Not Awarded

2008 Flight Lieutenant Emily Rickards RAF

2009 David Cockburn

2010  Captain Linc Alexander