It is with regret I post the sad loss of Capt Les Rackham, ex RAF. BKS. Northeast, Air UK. XP. BA and a few more in between. Not to forget the Yorkshire Aero Club and all out there that went through various tests when he was an examiner, and instructor (I now have "the black book".!) 50 plus years of flying and loved every minute. A good innings at 89 but now out. Respect. :D cheers Andy (the lad)

Sad news, I sat my first instructors test with him in 1970,condolences to his family

Very sad ,lovely man . RIP.

I remember Les from the F27 at Leeds Bradford. His local met knowledge was second-to-none. If LBA was fogbound and Les was holding, I would hold as well; the weather would clear. If Les diverted, I diverted; LBA was out for the day. One of aviation's gentlemen to boot.

Heartfelt condolences to all family & friends. I am an ex Northeast Cadet. Les was my first "Airline" pilot instructor & did my first airliner conversion. The mighty Vickers Viscount. Patient & excellent Instructor, examiner you would always wish for & that delightful, dry, Yorkshire sense of humour. Worthy innings. Sad not to have reached 90. RIP fine airman.

Les did my initial base on the Viscount with Northeast as well. A real gentleman and excelent trainer. Flying with him was a real pleasure. Everyone had the greatest respect for him.

Sad news indeed, Les took me for a safety Pilot restriction removal back in the eighties.

Fond memories, Blue Skies Les.

Best regards,

Nigel.

Very sad news.

A true gent, he did my upgrade to QFI in 1985 plus a few renewals in the late eightes, always had endless knowledge to pass on.

RIP Les, blue skies and tailwinds.

I am so sad to hear of Les' passing, he is, I think, the last of the BKS LBA based Captains to leave us who were incumbent when I joined as a 150hr cadet on the HS748 in 1967. He was always patient and encouraging despite the sudden influx of unaccustomed low hour cadets. We then met up again in the 70s at Manchester on the S1-11 when the LBA base closed.

I shall always remember him fondly.

Anyone know if he was related to a controller - Alan Rackham please?

If it's Andy Rackham, yes. I suspect he's the thread starter.

HD I was an ATCO for 25yrs and we, Alan R and I, did get "confused" by name from time to time, though I never actually met Alan I knew of him via contacts.

Thanks Harry. Love your "handle" - a phrase much loved by a bloke I was in North Africa with when the sandstorms arrived! Alan R was a great guy - ex-Heathrow he was one of my radar instructors in 1971. He was referred to as "Pack 'em Rackham"!

Very sad news indeed. Les was an excellent pilot and a true gentleman.

Mate, ex NE Cadet, tells me a luverly story when Les, un characteristically gave him the "leg" from LHR to LBA. Cleared from Oldham, to Abm the "Masst" for a Viz, my mate asked LBA..."er, abm the what ?" "The Masst".swift response. Perplexed, my mate looked at Les and asked what was meant........some radio thingy................but Les did clarify.............."oh", says suthern, "abm the M A R ST "....... " Ooooohern" came several responses from LBA Air Traffic (probably you "Lad").................Clear to Land ! Not pretty says my mate. Les & my mate laffed all the way to the car park with Les telling him that he might fit in " oup ere" !! Rest well....................great airman ! Condolonces to all hurt by the passing of this Gent.

As mentioned by Flightwatch, probably the last of the LBA based BKS/Northeast 1960s skippers. Before that Les flew the Charrington United Breweries Piaggio 166. A mild mannered, friendly gent. Sorry to read of his passing, condolences to Andy and family.