Hi Sandy, I knew John in my Aberdeen years when I went from First Officer through Senior First Officer to Captain. I think that Hugh and Double Bogey have put it very eloquently. John had a great cockpit manner. He had the experience and ability to put you at ease even if you made a complete mess of a rig approach in your early months in the job. He also knew if it was a bad day or if you needed more help. He could criticise without making you feel bad. John did my first Captain’s line check.
John put years and his heart and soul into this industry. Thankfully, I know he has left some behind for the rest of us. I hope that we can contribute as much as he did. I am a long way away so I won’t be able to make it to his funeral in person but I will be thinking of the great character he was.