Martyn joined AirUK in 1988 as a newly qualified First Officer, having completed his commercial pilot training at Oxford Air Training School. His passion for aviation had begun earlier at White Waltham, where he obtained his Private Pilot’s Licence and subsequently became a Flying Instructor. From there, he followed the traditional ‘self-improver’ route into commercial aviation, building his experience and qualifications along the way.

Initially based at Norwich, Martyn flew the Fokker F27 as a First Officer on the Scottish and North Sea routes. In 1989, he converted to the Boeing 737-400 and joined AirUK Leisure at Manchester. He subsequently spent the winter of 1990/91 flying for Malaysia Airlines under the AirUK wet-lease operation.

On returning to the UK, Martyn completed his ATPL training at Bournemouth and achieved his first command on the F27 in early 1993. The following year he converted to the Fokker 50 at Norwich before progressing to the BAe 146 in 1995, which he flew as a Captain until 2002.

Martyn later returned to the Boeing 737, flying the Buzz network, particularly the routes to France, and subsequently continued his airline career following the transition of the Buzz operation. He went on to fly the Boeing 737-800 for Flyglobespan from Glasgow on Canadian routes and became a Base Captain at Stansted. Following the airline’s closure, he joined TUI in Brussels before moving to Turkish Airlines, based in Istanbul, where he enjoyed flying an extensive international network, with destinations ranging from Tibet to Nairobi.

After many years of airline flying, Martyn eventually decided that the time had come to return home and bring his commercial flying career to an end. He subsequently ran a franchise business until illness in 2016 eventually led to his retirement.

His passion for aviation, however, never left him. In retirement, Martyn learned to fly gyrocopters – something he discovered was rather more challenging than it might first appear – and owned a Calidus autogyro, providing him with the opportunity to continue flying purely for pleasure.

Martyn had many interests outside aviation. He was a keen steam railway enthusiast, becoming an accomplished modeller of live-steam locomotives and volunteering at Bressingham Steam Museum. He also enjoyed small-bore rifle shooting and playing the guitar.

Martyn left us peacefully on 3 August 2022, aged 65. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Vivien, with whom he shared 44 years of marriage.

Martyn will be remembered for his lifelong love of flying, his considerable aviation experience and the enthusiasm with which he pursued his many interests. He will be greatly missed by Vivien, his family, friends and former colleagues.