Neville Atkinson
Encyclopedia
Neville Atkinson was born in Beverley in the East riding of Yorkshire. He was a successful night fighter pilot for the Fleet Air Arm
in the Royal Navy
. Neville served on the HMS Centaur
and piloted Sea Vixen FAW2 fighters. In 1972 Neville left his career in the Navy to take up the position as personal pilot to The President of Libya, Muammar al-Gaddafi
.
For the next 10 years his role was to fly Colonel Gaddafi, Government Ministers and many world dignitaries around the Middle East
and Africa
.
Probably one of the most notable moments in Atkinson’s career was in December 1975, when he was given the task of flying Carlos the Jackal
and a number of other terrorists. He extracted Carlos and his fellow terrorists from Algeria, saving the fate of the sixty hostages captured from the OPEC
headquarters in Vienna. It is reputed that Neville asked Carlos to sign a copy of Forsyth’s ‘Day of the Jackal’ during the flight.
In 2006 Neville Atkinson published his first book “Death on Small Wings: Memoirs of a Presidential Pilot” which detailed his experiences during the 1970s as Gaddafi's personal pilot.
He died on January 13, 2007, aged 73.
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. Neville served on the HMS Centaur
HMS Centaur
Eight ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Centaur, after the half-human, half horse Centaur of Greek mythology: was a 24-gun sixth rate launched in 1746 and sold in 1761. was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line, formerly the French ship Centaure. She was captured at the Battle of...
and piloted Sea Vixen FAW2 fighters. In 1972 Neville left his career in the Navy to take up the position as personal pilot to The President of Libya, Muammar al-Gaddafi
Muammar al-Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
.
For the next 10 years his role was to fly Colonel Gaddafi, Government Ministers and many world dignitaries around the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
.
Probably one of the most notable moments in Atkinson’s career was in December 1975, when he was given the task of flying Carlos the Jackal
Carlos the Jackal
Ilich Ramírez Sánchez , better known as Carlos the Jackal, is a Venezuelan pro-Palestinian currently serving a life sentence in France for shooting to death two French secret agents and a Lebanese informer in 1975....
and a number of other terrorists. He extracted Carlos and his fellow terrorists from Algeria, saving the fate of the sixty hostages captured from the OPEC
OPEC
OPEC is an intergovernmental organization of twelve developing countries made up of Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela. OPEC has maintained its headquarters in Vienna since 1965, and hosts regular meetings...
headquarters in Vienna. It is reputed that Neville asked Carlos to sign a copy of Forsyth’s ‘Day of the Jackal’ during the flight.
In 2006 Neville Atkinson published his first book “Death on Small Wings: Memoirs of a Presidential Pilot” which detailed his experiences during the 1970s as Gaddafi's personal pilot.
He died on January 13, 2007, aged 73.