LIEUTENANT M.A. MAUGHAN. R.N.
Mike came to the U.K. in early 1960 from his native South Africa and joined the Royal Navy as a Naval Air Cadet. After completing initial training at R.N.E.C. Manadon as a Midshipman he commenced Flying Training at R.A.F.Linton On Ouse. Here he quickly acquired the nickname Noddy, which stayed with him throughout his time in the Royal Navy. Flying Training was carried out on the Piston Provost and Vampire T11 and he was awarded his Pilots Wings in 1961.
The first part of Operational Training was at R.N.A.S. Lossiemouth, 738 Squadron flying the Seahawk. This was followed by a short swept-wing conversion course on the Hawker Hunter T8 with 764 Squadron at the same Air Station.
Advanced Operational Training was at R.N.A.S. Yeovilton, 766 Squadron flying the Sea Vixen Mk.1. The Royal Navy’s All Weather Fighter.
Mike then joined his first Front Line Squadron, 892 in H.M.S. Hermes operating with the Far East Fleet during the Indonesian Crisis where he qualified as a day and night deck landing pilot.
His next appointment was 728 Squadron, R.N.A.S. Hal Far in Malta flying the Meteor.
Mike’s final Front Line tour was with 890 Squadron in H.M.S.Ark Royal. He left the Royal Navy in 1966, and after obtaining his commercial qualifications, joined B.O.A.C. as a Second Officer on the Boeing 707 Fleet.
He was promoted to Captain on this Fleet, and subsequently flew the TriStar, Boeing 747 and Boeing 747-400. Mike retired as a Senior Captain in 1995 and shortly afterwards joined Mandarin Airways as a 747-400 Captain based in Vancouver, where he and Colleen enjoyed two very happy years. He finally retired in1997.
In 2010 he was diagnosed with MSD, a form of blood cancer. He died on the 18th August, 2016.
A dry wit and devoted Family Man, he is survived by his wife Colleen, son Ryan, stepson Keir, stepdaughter Lisl and their families.
1940. – 2016