PADDY HAYCOCK RIP +
Ex-Heathrow ATCO Paddy Haycock died in the last few days. I understand that his funeral will be at Guildford Crematorium on Wednesday afternoon.
Paddy retired in 1979 and had been an operational Heathrow controller for nearly 20 years prior to that. He was definitely one of the real "characters" of ATC. I recall my first visit to ADC on my posting to Heathrow... sitting next to Paddy on Air (just one freq, 118.2, in those days). An inbound BEA Trident was weaving back and forth on the 28L ILS and Paddy asked "who's that avoiding the flak over Hounslow tonight?". Quick as a flash someone responded: "Is it thick tonight, London?"
Couple of years ago, when Paddy was about 80, he came to a Heathrow nostalgia evening sporting a huge white beard. Even some of his past colleagues failed to recognise him... until he opened his mouth. An unforgettable accent.
God Bless you Paddy, you were great fun to work with..