RIP my friend. You talked me into this wonderful side of aviation and we have seen it grow and flourish. You have been a pillar and foundation for our industry, many of us have you to thank for where we are today. I have been lucky enough over the years to thank you, and you can rest in peace with the knowledge that you will never be forgotten. As a member of the industry that you help create our thoughts and prayers go out to your family, we will always be there for them. God speed Alan, pull the collective mate one more time.
A sad loss. He was one of the great entrepreneurs of the 20th century; recognised the market, knew how to exploit it and built a leading company in a relatively new field. OK, he didn't see eye to eye with everybody but he provided strong leadership, exciting prospects and secure employment for a lot of people. Thanks Alan.
He hired me in 1974 and gave me opportunities never dreamed of. A real entrepreneur and the company has gone down in my opinion since he left. THANK YOU Mr. Bristow! I think the fact that our company still carries his name speaks volumes to the man and those he employed.
I remember meeting the "great man" back in the 70's alighting from the HS 125 in Sumburgh... A more tetchy, miserable git you could not meet.... BUT, a great entrepeneur and innovator of indusrtry. I'm sure if you had his right side he would of come over differently....
Did he not turn down the sword on each shoulder???
Without Bristow, there would probably never be the aviation world so much of us enjoy today. RIP you old git..
RIP Mr. Bristow. He built the best Helicopter Company in the world, bar none! Gave employment to hundreds, who even now are loyal to his name. I will raise a glass tonight and say a big thank you to "Big Al". A sad day. 3D
Never met the man, and now I will never have the opportunity. My loss.
A much greater loss for our industry though. I hope that everything Alan Bristow stood for, warts and all, can somehow be re-discovered by our industry.
AEB had been really very sick for some time but I know as recently as last week he had some of his old company Directors to his house working on finishing writing a book about his years in the industry.
In true form, he was, apparently, being argumentative as usual which was such an integral part of his truly great character. Alan didn't make an industry by always agreeing with everyone. Its good to know he was a character to the very end.
As others have said, he with his associates built the best helicopter company ever, gave so many a start in a great industry and was the pioneer of what we do now. I have the greatest respect for him and will never forget him.
His company gave me my career along with many others. Met him twice, found him to be exactly as the image. He was a pioneer, even a buccaneer, and the world has changed; there won't be another like him in the rotary world.
I met him once when I worked for Bristow and again when I was at Sealand Helicopters in Newfoundland. He arrived in Newfoundland with the 125 under the cloak of United Helicopters when he and Mr. Dobbin were both seeking to acquire Okanagan Helicopters.
