Karl Jaeger was always known as Frank and was a gentleman. He operated a Cherokee 6 from Smithton in (his) later years. Frank died at the controls with a CAA check pilot alongside him. Heather Innis was in the back seat. Heather tried to revive Frank while the CAA man flew the plane back to Smithton. It was only weeks after Frank passed his class 1 medical. Anyone who thinks a Cherokee 6 is not a short field aeroplane would be stunned at where Frank landed his.
Very sad end to the bloke who gave me one of my very first charters as a newly minted CPL. Now only Heather (and Frank B I believe) remain as the last of the "earlier era" bush pilots from Smithton.
Another highly competent pilot, Adrian Becker took over Heather's business not long after and a few years later was involved in a tragic accident on Trefoil Island that took his life and that of his passengers. That was basically the end of commercial aviation from Smithton.
Last edited by Aussie Bob; 3rd May 2016 at 06:02.