Spiney flew both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft with the Royal Navy. Following front line Anti-submarine and Commando Assault roles in the Sea King, he instructed on the Bulldog and then the Sea King, where he also flew as a display pilot.

Spiney was then senior QFI and Instrument Rating Examiner on the Jetstream and the Gazelle before operating as a test pilot on the ASRAAM air-to-air missile project. He is currently a First Officer on the Airbus A320/321.