View Full Version : Mike Strangways - Trent Helicopters
Palma
25th Apr 2010, 13:26
Older PPRuNers will be sad to hear that Mike Strangways passed away on Wednesday. He was in the UK onshore helicopter business for many years - initially with Autair (Bill Armstrong and Jimmy Harper) at Luton Airport. He founded Trent Helicopters in the 1970s - in the old Autair hangar at Luton Airport. Trent was mainly a helicopter maintenance company and specialised in Bell 47s and Bell 206s.
In 1979, Sloane Helicopters contracted Trent to do the assembly, certification and maintenance of the new Robinson R22 helicopter. Trent also worked closely with Sloane to persuade the ARB to give the R22 CAA Public Transport Certification - not an easy process! Trent were the main service centre for UK Robinson helicopters until Sloane opened their new maintenance facility at Sywell Aerodrome, Northampton in 1989.
Trents's Chief Pilot and Chief Instructor was the late David Dixon. He established Trent's training facility at Cranfield Airport where they ran several courses for British Airways training pilots for their North Sea operations.
Mike eventually sold the maintenance business to Fred Coates - who renamed it Helitech - and the flight training operation to Cabair who still do training at Cranfield.
A number of PPRuNers will have done their initial training with Trent and I am sure will have some great memories of both Mike Strangways and David Dixon........
The cremation is private but there will be a Service at Husbands Crawley, Bedfordshire on 6th May - time to be confirmed.
Anyone wishing to attend please contact me for time and exact location and time.
spinwing
26th Apr 2010, 04:28
Mmmm ....
I am so sorry to hear of Mike's passing.
I worked for 'Trent' in 1980/81 and I have to say the memories of that experience are very fondly remembered ..... that place was a team effort and the gentlemanly and often humorous ways of Mike (& Sue) and David Dixon made the work place an enjoyable work environment.
My condolences to Sue and the Family.
Mike .... "Rest in Peace" ....
Kind regards
Thud_and_Blunder
26th Apr 2010, 07:41
As a Trent customer (ATPL(H), then a PPL(A) as I'd never flown anything with a fan on front instead of on top where it should be...) in 1984, I'd like to pass on my thanks and condolences. Trent was my first insight into the world of aviation outside the military; I didn't really appreciate just how far above the standard it was until I went full-time civvy in 2001. Good people, good training (anyone who can get me through all the exams in 6 weeks and pass first time HAD to be good) and good times.
Palma
26th Apr 2010, 08:43
spinwing and Thud and Blunder.
Thank you for your posts and PM which I have forwarded to Sue.
Plank Cap
26th Apr 2010, 08:49
RIP Mike, happy days. Started in the Bell 47 with Mike and Sue, the wonderful Stan Sollit, Joe Wright and George Warren....... now driving the Boeing 777 for my sins............
Very Sad news indeed. I have many fond memories of those early days. I worked as a loader for Mike and DD many times and was often "put" by Mike in the front as he knew I was itching to get cracking.... Look where that got me!
Sue sent a smashing message when DD was on his last lap. That was very touching. I am so very sorry to hear of Mike's passing.
JCR
Border Reiver
29th Apr 2010, 09:09
Very sorry to hear the news. As one of the BA cadets in 1980 I have very happy memories of the time there and of Mike and Sue. Impressed enough that I went back in '86 for the fixed wing conversion.
Mike was a gentlemen with high standards, best wishes to Sue.
Palma
29th Apr 2010, 23:47
Thank you all, on behalf of Sue and the family, for your posts.
Sue has asked me to give her email address and telephone number to any of you who wish to contact her. Please send me PMs and I will forward the information.
But for people like Mike Strangways, David Dixon, David Bond, Jimmy Harper, Sox Hosegood, Tim Clutterbuck, Peter Nutting, Bill Armstrong, Alan Bristow, Ken Read, Eric Brown, Jock Cameron - oh I could go on but it would show how old I am really am! - we would not have a UK helicopter industry.
The Service will be at St John The Baptist Church in Stanbridge, near Leighton Buzzard, ("The Buzzard" to aviators!) at 1430 on Thursday 6th May.
Sue and the family have very kindly invited everyone for "Tea" in the pub opposite where, she tells me, Mike consumed more then four million pints over the years!
I have organised a "Fly By" after the Service and before we all go for "Tea"
In respect of Mike's and David's true spirits, this post is sent after a very "serious" dinner.....
PS: If anyone wants to fly in, please let me know - we will sort out a landing site with / and or not / permission.........
Agaricus bisporus
30th Apr 2010, 12:48
Sad to hear the news.
I did my CPL(H) exams and civvy conversion with Trent - a memorable experience. Happy memories of Bell 47s failing to start in the cold, a foreign student stopping off during a nav solo to go waterskiing (really!), Sue and Mike's constant attention and encouragement, frightening CAAFU examiners, parties in the Dakota Club...a dog called Puffin that tried to dig a hole when told to "emigrate". Vampires all over the airfield. Aah! Those were the days!
heli1
30th Apr 2010, 13:25
Palma old boy .....yes I recall you and your Afghan goat hair jacket ,flying Hillers at Sywell. Don't put us all in the heavens quite yet....Sox Hosegood and Eric Brown at least are still with us on this mortal earth ,but now doubt Mike is having a few beers with some of the other great names on your list.
Cheers Mike.Down the hatch.
Hi "Heli 1"
I do not know who you are, but your memory is still good!
Do you have contact numbers for Eric Brown and Sox Hosegood - and / or can you please relay the funeral information etc. to them?
Cheers.......
Palma...Can't help with Eric Brown I'm afraid but have let Sox know....he is bit travel bound though these days so is unlikely to make it.
Up & Away
6th May 2010, 08:38
Sad news indeed
It was Mike (the commander) and David Dixon at the Trent hangar who showed me the first R22 I had ever seen.
Happy memories
Hope today goes as well as can be expected
What a smashing service for a smashing chap. Not at all a "sad" affair but happy stories of all of Mike's successes both in aviation and on the family front.
The Goons were played in Church!
Very touched to hear of so many David Dixon stories.
DG thanks for the great speach and for the FABULOUS fly by.
I think Mike would have LOVED it.
Best to all,
JR (and Wife).
casaelsa
11th May 2010, 20:49
Thank you all, (unknown though you may be), for your lovely kind messages. Mike had been ill for some years but recently regained his great sense of humour so it has been one hell of a shock to the whole family. Last Thursday was indeed a 'Thanksgiving' for his life and it is such a shame he could not be there to enjoy it !! Those of you who managed to make it to Stanbridge I thank you for making it a memorable day and very special thanks to DG for the 'Fly Past' (it totally destroyed my composure!)
Keep those rotors turning all you special people !
Sue Strangways