Ex-RAF pilot and UK’s most senior controller is hailed

David was presented with his MBE in Hillsborough on April 30, 2015.

Following the official presentation, City of Derry Airport hosted a celebratory event at the airport for Mr Reeves to mark the occasion.

The Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, DUP Councillor Thomas Kerrigan joined management and staff at the airport in congratulating David on his achievement.

David commenced his career in aviation at a young age joining the Royal Air Force at just 18. David flew all over the world with his final posting at Ballykelly where he served until 1964.

During his time in Northern Ireland, David married and settled in Portstewart on the North Coast where he raised his family.

David continued his career in aviation, joining the Ministry of Aviation and trained as an Air traffic controller working in various locations across the UK from London Gatwick to the Oceanic Centre in Scotland before joining City of Derry Airport as an Air Traffic Controller in 1997. David gives much of his time to charity and community work, joining his colleagues in 2011 to run in the Belfast Marathon in aid of Foyle Hospice. At the age of 75 David was the most senior, operational, tower controller in the UK. David was among a number of people from the North West honoured in the Queen’s birthday honours last year.

Ann Marie Blanking, the Key Stage 3 co-ordinator at St Mary’s College received an MBE for services to education and the community; Elizabeth McNerlin, received hers for services to employment and the community in the north west; Hugh Edward John Montgomery DL, Secretary and representative in Northern Ireland for The Honourable The Irish Society, received his for services to the community in Londonderry.

Charles Victor Adrian Anderson received a BEM for services to music and prominent community worker Debbie Caulfield also received a BEM.