It was with immense shock that we learnt of the loss of Professor David Last, former President of the Royal Institute of Navigation (2005-2008), in an air accident off Anglesey, North Wales, on 25 November. His aircraft was reported missing after an extensive search which had to be suspended due to extreme weather, according to North Wales Police and HM Coastguard.

Professor Last was globally respected in the positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) communities. As recently as last week (19-21 November) he was taking an active role in the RIN’s International Navigation Conference in Edinburgh as one observer put it: ‘A gentle driving force with a great intellect.’