The Wanaka Helicopters boss flew a Tiger Moth to third in the world in 1985 at the International Aerobatic Championships, after winning the New Zealand title 15 times.
However, it is his many years spent instructing helicopter pilots for which he has earned his latest aviation accolade.
Mr Spencer-Bower (60) has returned from a New Zealand Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) ceremony in Wellington, last week, with one of the aviation industry's most distinguished awards.
He received the Greg Vujcich Memorial Award in recognition for his aviation record and outstanding contribution as a flight instructor.
Captain Greg Vujcich was a respected 747 pilot, instructor, and former executive member of ALPA.
The memorial award was first awarded last year, to Wanganui-based flight instructor Sir Ivon Worthington, ALPA spokesman Chris Mehlhopt said.
The award recognises a lifetime of outstanding work and professional service, he said.
Mr Spencer-Bower played down his accomplishment with an amusing line of self-deprecation, when the Otago Daily Times spoke to him, last week.
"I'm surprised they decided to give it to this dumb, old helicopter pilot," he said, while his flying colleagues razzed him about how ALPA "must have been scraping the barrel".
However, when Mr Spencer-Bower points out a list of the names of pilots he has instructed his pride is clear.
"The helicopter industry has come of age and it is very nice to know one has been part of that."
In total, Mr Spencer-Bower has logged more than 18,000 flying hours in both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, and has logged 10,000-plus hours flying in the instructor's seat.
He was recently recognised by Frank Robinson of the Robinson Helicopter company as holding the world record for the most flying hours in Robinson R22 model helicopters (about 13,000 hours).
His dedication to training pilots has been unwavering throughout his aviation career.
He set up Wanaka Helicopters in 1993.
The resort's mountainous environment is an ideal place for helicopter instruction and Mr Spencer-Bower last year started an advanced mountain flight training course for New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority.
"It is about imparting knowledge and making sure we produce pilots with professional skills that are adaptable to real world situations," he said.
