Captain John Ridings
I am sad to report that John has recently passed away in Venezuela where he has lived for the past 15 or so years. The details are somewhat sketchy at the moment.
I first met John in 1982 when he was crop spraying up in Cheshire. We became good pals living in and around Stockport. He was the Chief Pilot of Manchester Helicopter Charter at Barton. From a short stay here he found his way to Bristow Helicopters in Aberdeen and then The Falklands where his flying career was cut short due to loss of licence on medical grounds. He was ex AAC serving in Germany and NI on Bell 47 and of course Gazelle.
After the flying stopped the sailing started! He acquired his Ocean Yacht Master rating, purchased a boat and took off touring the Med for a while before heading off across the Pond to S America.
There are no funeral details as it will have happened by now.
Blue Skies and Calm Seas Mate