Pilot etches smiley face in the sky over Sir Tom Moore's house

Video Credit: SWNS STUDIO
Published on May 20, 2020 - Duration: 00:21s

Pilot etches smiley face in the sky over Sir Tom Moore's house

One of the world's top free-style pilots has marked Captain Sir Tom Moore's new knighthood - by etching a smiley face in the sky above the war veteran's home.

Mark Jefferies, 61, took to the skies this morning (Weds) in his single-seat, Extra-330 aircraft, to draw a smiley face and the letter 'T' with the plane's vapour, in honour of the newly-knighted veteran fundraiser.

And the 100-year-old, who will now be known as Captain Sir Tom Moore, had been made aware of Mark's fly-past - and stood outside his home in Marston Moretaine, Beds., looking up in delight.

Captain Tom, as he has become affectionately known, has been recognised for his amazing efforts raising almost £33 million for the NHS by walking laps of his garden last month.

And Mark, who has previously drawn a smiley face in the skies over Sandringham on Christmas Day in 2013, said Captain Tom's knighthood is "superb".

He said: "It's quite an achievement.

The man deserves a victory roll for what he's done - I'm very happy to be able to do this.

"I think the everyday person needs to be recognised for what they are doing in these times.

Every bit of it is making a difference.

"The man has achieved so much in his lifetime, and continues to do so.

It's nice to see." Mark, who has been flying for 40 years, added that conditions were "perfect" with "very little wind", and that the whole flight took him just four minutes - at a mile high (5,000 feet).

Speaking out this morning (Weds) about his knighthood, Captain Sir Tom said he is "overawed" by the "outstanding honour".


Pilot etches smiley face in the sky over Sir Tom Moore's house

One of the world's top free-style pilots has marked Captain Sir Tom Moore's new knighthood - by etching a smiley face in the sky above the war veteran's home.

Mark Jefferies, 61, took to the skies this morning (Weds) in his single-seat, Extra-330 aircraft, to draw a smiley face and the letter 'T' with the plane's vapour, in honour of the newly-knighted veteran fundraiser.

And the 100-year-old, who will now be known as Captain Sir Tom Moore, had been made aware of Mark's fly-past - and stood outside his home in Marston Moretaine, Beds., looking up in delight.

Captain Tom, as he has become affectionately known, has been recognised for his amazing efforts raising almost £33 million for the NHS by walking laps of his garden last month.

And Mark, who has previously drawn a smiley face in the skies over Sandringham on Christmas Day in 2013, said Captain Tom's knighthood is "superb".

He said: "It's quite an achievement.

The man deserves a victory roll for what he's done - I'm very happy to be able to do this.

"I think the everyday person needs to be recognised for what they are doing in these times.

Every bit of it is making a difference.

"The man has achieved so much in his lifetime, and continues to do so.

It's nice to see." Mark, who has been flying for 40 years, added that conditions were "perfect" with "very little wind", and that the whole flight took him just four minutes - at a mile high (5,000 feet).

Speaking out this morning (Weds) about his knighthood, Captain Sir Tom said he is "overawed" by the "outstanding honour".

You are here

You might like