AN RAF pilot who steered a fighter jet with his knees after a bird shattered the aircraft's canopy is to be honoured for his bravery.

The incident in the skies above Barnard Castle, County Durham, on August 22 last year, scattered debris over the town and forced the Hawk jet, from RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, into an emergency landing at Durham Tees Valley Airport.

The jet's pilot, Flight Lieutenant Stu Grimsey, is to receive the Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air.

The 34-year-old, an instructor with 100 Squadron, was returning to RAF Leeming with a trainee navigator when the bird hit the canopy at between 250ft and 500ft.

The canopy shattered, exposing the two men to winds of 500mph in the cockpit.

Flt Lt Grimsey said: "I saw a flash of something, and then it sounded like a big explosion. There was suddenly massive noise and lots of buffet.

"I didn't know how much damage there was so wasn't sure if we could fly for much longer.

"I decided to head towards Durham Tees Valley Airport because it was closest."

Most of the front canopy was missing, with pieces lying around the cockpit. The impact had cracked his helmet, ripped his dark visor and damaged his clear visor.

He also had no way of communicating with his student.

"I put a mayday call out, but didn't know if it could be heard," said Flt Lt Grimsey.

"By then, I was back at about 4,000ft and slowed down so that I could hear more."

In order to send the emergency message, he had to lift a large piece of perspex from the coaming (the low rim around the cockpit) with one hand, and send the message with the other, controlling the aircraft using his knees.

He was able to slow the jet and turn the radios up so that communications could be heard giving him clearance to land at Durham Tees Valley.

Flt Lt Grimsey said he was surprised and honoured by the award.

"Overall, I am very pleased with how things went and I am proud of my performance that day," he said.

RAF Leeming station commander Group Captain Edward Stringer said: "This was a serious and potentially dangerous incident, handled extremely competently by Flt Lt Grimsey. Throughout the emergency, he demonstrated airmanship of the highest order."