Sandy Thomson

[Yorky Towers]

Sandy Thomson (ATA)

After a short illness Sandy died this morning 21st December 2003.
My condolences to his dear wife Betty, two sons Paul and Rory and Grandchild.

Eamonn.

Sandy's Funeral service will be held on Friday 2nd January 2004 at Mid Warwickshire Crematorium, Oakley Wood, Nr. Wellesbourne, Warwickshire at 11.30am and later at the Glengary Guest House, London Road, Coventry CV3 4EX

Family flowers only please, but donations if desired to Shipston Home Nursing c/o R. Locke and Son. Funeral Director, Caution Corner, Brailes, Oxon. OX15 5EZ

Kind Regards
Betty

[A and C]

Sandy was one of the best ground instructors that I have ever had the pleasure to meet , his was a true gift of being able to put across very dry parts of the ATPL syilibus in a way that kept me and countless others awake.

I think that it is true to say that I would not be sitting in the front of a jet airliner if it had not been for Sandys ability to teach perf A.

However a little of Sandys spirit lives on in all of us who met him and tonight as I enjoy a "dish of tea" high over the Bay of Biscay I will be thinking of the man who did so much to help me in this business.

I could say much more about Sandy but others on this forum would probably say it much more eliquently.

R.I.P Sandy.

[Wing Commander Fowler]

Actually A and C I think you did a pretty good job. Sandy is indeed a well loved guy and there are a great many who owe a lot to him. Salt of the earth

RIP.

[beauport potato man]

I too had the great fortune of being taught by Sandy and equally owe alot to him for where i am today.

great man, great knowledge........and if i remember correctly from a night in the Mill - a pretty good drinker too.

RIP Sandy.

[captainkilner]

Sandy was a true gentleman who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

What Sandy didn't know wasn't worth knowing.

A glass of Chenin Blanc always brings back fond memories of old Sandy down 'The Mill'

From the class of April/July 2002 ( Neil, Chris, Pat, Dean, Stavros, Jonny, Brendan, Jay, Rob ) may Sandy rest in peace and our thoughts go out to his family at this time of sad loss.

RIP Sandy

[FougaMagister]

I agree - and ATA won't really be the same without him. Some people ARE irreplaceable after all. Our class of Oct 2001-April 2002 (Sumo, Schoey, Stelios, le JP, Jeff, Stef, Geezer, Irish Martin, Sam etc) will surely miss him.

Adios!

[MorningGlory]

My sympathies go out to his family and friends.

RIP, and God Bless.

[Roxy]

A posting in pprune that I am soo sad to see!
Glad that it was quick for the "Big Fella"!
Go back to the bad old days with him at WW and before at PPSC.
Remember the Cheese and wine runs over to France, don't even think that anyone had a multi licence at the time. Trinidad, Palm Beach and Flight Safety as well!
The carribean rum slot machine!
The crates of Champagne that would mysteriously dissapear from the bar at WW, only to re-appear on a Friday afternoon!
So many stories and happy memories!
Without Sandy's help myself and many would not be enjoying this very wonderful profession!
With that I am in no doubt!
He will be off teaching Marley the joys of Fright Planning and Perf A.

A Simple thanks Sandy, take care!

[Flypuppy]

The world is truly a poorer place for Sandy's passing. There simply are not enough genuine, warm, open hearted people like Sandy Thomson in life.

I feel privileged that I have had the chance to have met him. His generosity and magnanimity, especially down at the Old Mill, were legendary. Sandy's selfless spirit helped many of his students out, myself included, when they were in a tight spot. It was almost like having a surrogate grandfather.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if he is in heaven right now drinking the place dry telling stories about the Beverly and the Belfast.

Thoughts and prayers go out to Sandy's family, many many friends and colleagues who, like me, will be mourning his passing.

God bless.

[Yarpy]

I remember Sandy at PPSC in 1988. He was one of aviations really good eggs and that came across in his teaching.

There really should be more like him and the world would be a more decent place.

Sincere regards and condolences to his family.

[Smokie]

I , like many others have fond memories of Sandy, he certainly made the ATPL and Perf "A" seem effortless compared to some of his contemporaries.

Will always remember his taste for Chenin Blanc down at the OAK and latterly the OLD MILL.

My condolences to Betty and the rest of the family.

A True Gentleman.

This Earth will be a sadder place with his "Departure".

Rest in Peace mate.

[Freeway]

I remember Sandy well from my days at ATA in Coventry.
He was the person that got me through my ground school subjects. Sandy had a natural ability when it came to teaching, combining it with wit and humour.
Definately a great loss.

Thank you Sandy for helping me achieve the qualifications that allowed me to do this great job.

Condolences to Sandy's family and RIP.

[Smokie]

I , like many others have fond memories of Sandy, he certainly made the ATPL and Perf "A" seem effortless compared to some of his contemporaries.

Will always remember his taste for Chenin Blanc down at the OAK and latterly the OLD MILL.

My condolences to Betty and the rest of the family.

A True Gentleman.

This Earth will be a sadder place with his "Departure".

Rest in Peace mate.

[Dirty Harry]

Sandy helped me through perf A and other subjects almost 20 years ago, I have never found a better ground instructor anywhere, and I probably never will.

[jarjam]

Very sorry to hear of Sandys death.

It has to be said that the guy was a genius, how he was able to recall in such intricate detail the finer points of JAR ops and airlaw I will never know. It's sad to say it but chaps like sandy are becoming a rare breed I cant imagine any of the new generation guys having the encyclopedic knowledge of Mr Thompson. (He even knew what colour the door was at ICAO head offices!)

Even during the complete mess that was the beggining of the JAR ATPL ground exams Sandy quietly soldiered on and got us the results we needed.

Always remember the unique way he used to tell stories about accidents and his dry witt "of course they all died you know".

A true Gent:ok:

[Ian Willoughby]

I am very sad to learn of Sandy's passing. Sandy was, and still is to me, a legend.

I had been out of full-time education for 20 years when I went to ATA, and Sandy (together with Danny, Pete L and Pete Q) was responsible for getting me through the whole ATPL syllabus with first-time passes in all subjects, thus minimising my hair loss!

Rarely have I met anyone with such endearing qualities as Sandy. As a person, he was a true gent and possessed a fantastic sense of humour. Sandy was highly intelligent, with the rare ability to pass on that knowledge in a meaningful way to absolute numptys like me. He was also unassuming and, with his natural humility, was able to relate and communicate effectively to people of all backgrounds and nationalities.

The world of aviation will be far worse off without Sandy. He will be sorely missed. I count myself as one of the privileged many to have known and been taught by him. In all respects, he was a great man.

I hope that his wife and family find some comfort in the fact that Sandy was admired by so many, both as a person and as a teacher. Pilots throughout the world will be rocked by the news of his passing, but our warmest wishes will be with his family and we thank them for allowing him to continue to benefit us well past the age when most people would have stopped working.

God bless, Sandy.

[straight six]

Part of Aviation has died.

Sandy - what an incredible man.
I first met Sandy in 1990 at White Waltham where I was doing an AFI course with Hamish Ross. Sandy was the life and soul of the clubhouse - particularly early/mid evening when he would decant from his Commercial groundschool with his students.

I subsequently called on Sandy`s professional services at Coventry a few years later - his patience and fortitude at dealing with my lack of wisdom - in both Perf A and some ATPL subjects - was truly magnificent... I owe Sandy so very much... as he used to say, "it`s easy when you know how.."

An absolute gentleman who gave so much, to so many, so often.

[redsnail]

What a legend.
Aviation is going to miss the big fella. The Old Mill will miss him too.
He lives on in all of us who have fond memories of him and his teachings will be passed on to others.
Condolences to Sandy's family and to his colleagues at ATA. :(

[Maxfli]

I first met Sandy in WW in 1990. He explained that if I reduced my consumption of Guinness from a dozen a night down to a mere gallon I might be able to stay awake during Perf A.

Some years later I was one of a troop that Pete and he dragged through our ATPLs at ATA. I owe many people a great deal in helping me at various stages of my career, none more so than Sandy.

Alexander, enjoy that large portion of Singapore noodles in the sky.

"75%, well done no wasted effort......Good enough for Government work."

[Tom the Tenor]

It has been a hard, hard year for good aviation people passing on - may they all rest in peace. All such good, sound people.

[Red 69]

Simply, thank you for helping me realise my dreams Sandy. RIP

[Hogg]

God Rest u My friend

[4Screwaircrew]

An amiable gentleman, an excellent tutor.
Thank you Sandy.

[Alex Whittingham]

The world is indeed a poorer place for his passing. He was a true gentleman.

[zickler]

Sandy was indeed a true gentleman; genuine, kind, with a dedication to his job, and sense of humour that are very rarely seen nowadays. Aviation has lost a very remarkable man, and I'm sure he will continue to live in the memories of the many people who have had the luck to be taught by him.

His mammoth knowledge of the aviation world has helped many people like myself get through the stressful ground school period without any significant problems. A great legend that will be greatly missed. On many sunny summer afternoons while having our daily pint at "The Mill", we used to be joined by good old Sandy, with his glass of Chenin Blanc, and there we would listen to some of his adventures from the RAF days.

I'm sure he will be missed by many pilots worldwide. Our thoughts are with his family at this time of sad loss.

R.I.P Sandy
(ATA April-September 2002)

http://oberon.spaceports.com/~maltaf/ata_class.htm

[BusBoy]

at risk of echoing the above, without Sandy and his instruction of Perf 'A' would not have got though, probably ever.

Will one day buy you that beer!!

RIP
(ATA 1996)

[Stav]

From all the guys in the class of 2001.

He was simply the best! Our thoughts and prayers are with his family particularly at this time of year.


Thank you and sleep well Sandy

Andy

[Darbo]

In 1995, out of a class of 18 he got 14 of us through the ATPLs with full passes, 4 partials and no fails. Fantastic, interesting teacher and one of life's true gents.

So many of us have Sandy to thank for where we are today, up the sharp end of an aeroplane. Only the other night, coming back from some place like Sharm el Sheik, nearing the end of a 14 hour duty day we were enjoying a "Dish of Tea", talking about our days in Coventry, and recalling some of Sandy's tales. The Whistling Wheelbarrow - the Belfast - Sharjah - The man who invented smoking in the shower - The man who could get smoke to come out of his ears, and so on and so forth!

Sandy's skills and wit will be sorely missed. However comma, as he would have put it, those of us who knew him are very priviliged.

Rest in Peace.

[Ex Oggie]

Very sad news .......... without doubt one of lifes true gentleman, who had that rare gift of turning dull material into a riveting yarn. I owe Sandy my Perf A and a whole lot more besides.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

[Aerial Anarchist]

I was lucky to be part of the class of Jan 95 - Sandy got me and my pal through ATPL nav first time - a real feat!

We allways will remember the famous "dish of tea" and tails of flying Blackburn Beverlys over the desert in the wrong direction!

sadly missed and much respected.

[wisam elmajed]

I remember Sandy at the R.J.A.A. in 1973 (In AMMAN . JORDAN) . He was one of aviations best ground instructors and that came across in his teaching.

He was the person that got me through my ground school subjects. Sandy had a natural ability when it came to teaching, combining it with wit and humour.

There really should be more like him and the world would be a more decent place.

Sincere regards and condolences to his family.

[Yorky Towers]

Will be held on Friday 2nd January 2004 at Mid Warwickshire Crematorium, Oakley Wood, Nr. Wellesbourne, Warwickshire at 11.30am and later at the Glengary Guest House, London Road, Coventry CV3 4EX.

Family flowers only please, but donations if desired to Shipston Home Nursing c/o R.Locke and Son. Funeral Director. Caution Corner, Brailes, Oxon OX15 5EZ

Kind Regards
Betty

[John Boeman]

Was at WW Groundschool in 1990. It has all been said. He was quite simply the best teacher I ever had.
R.I.P. Sandy.

[piton]

Sandy was already a legend at the ICAO school I attended in the early '80's in Trinidad. He coached students in 3 or 4 subjects simultaneously.... and managed to make us all comprehend the incomprehensible.

I'm sorry to hear he has left us but glad that he managed to keep working for so long. I know he really enjoyed helping so many achieve their dreams.

I can't make it to Coventry on the 2nd but will be there in spirit.

R.I.P.

[throber69]

Sandy Thompson is one of life’s great characters; he is one of those people who only come’s along once in your lifetime.

I owe him a debt of gratitude that could never be repaid.

It is, and always will be my great privilege to call him my friend.

[BBK]

In over 20 years in aviation I have not met another instructor with his knowledge, good humour and demeanour of someone who enjoyed teaching so much. It soon became apparent to those of us on his course that he was one of aviation's gentlemen. May he rest in peace.

[punchus]

Registered specially to pay my respects.
Had the privilege of being taught by Sandy in 1997, never have nor will meet a gentleman with such an ability to teach and a love for the subject (even perf).
Take Care and God bless.Hope the Rum is better up above.
My deepest condolences to his Family on their sad loss.

[Yorky Towers]

The Funeral is on Friday 2nd January 2004 at Mid Warwickshire Crematorium, Oakley Wood, Nr. Wellesbourne, Warwickshire at 11.30am and later at the Glengary Guest House, London Road, Coventry CV3 4EX

Family flowers only please, but donations if desired to Shipston Home Nursing c/o R. Locke and Son. Funeral Director, Caution Corner, Brailes, Oxon OX15 5EZ

Kind Regards
Betty

[Reckless and Crazy]

I had the pleasure of working with Sandy in Vero Beach, Florida during the late 1990's, and bellying up to the bar with him in C.J.Cannons. A real gentleman!. Also a Thompson, I used to tell the new students that Sandy was my father. The usual response was "How lucky! I wish he was mine!"
My deepest sympathies to his family.

[My 737]

Thank you Sandy for all the help and support. It was a privilege to have known you and to be tought by you. You gave nothing but the best, thats why we got trough. A fantastic guy and tutor.
The year 2003 will be remembered for 2 things, Sandy Thomson and 100 years of flight.
Our sincere condolences to Betty and everyone at ATA.

Rest in peace my friend.

The Vikings, class ´97.

[Andi]

Today I received the very sad news that "Aviation"
lost one of the best ground instructors and one of the
greatest gentleman ever!

Sandy got me into ATA and with the help of his excellent team
managed to get me through the ATPL's in 1999/2000.
I owe him like countless other pilots out there a hell of a lot.
I am going to miss the storys he was telling us during class to keep us awake or while having a drink in The Mill.
A truly very sad day for aviation.

Rest in peace my friend.

My deepest respect and condolences to his family



Andi Hamer (Hong Kong)

:(

[silverhawk]

Thank you Sandy for doing a job you obviously loved, for so long and so well.

Many of us benefitted from your prolonged career, your stories, your knowledge and your unique style. You dragged me to where I am now.

Lets break now for a dish of tea

ATA 1994

[PPRuNe Radar]

Sandy's family have asked us to thank everyone for the wonderful tributes and memories which have been posted on the site.

In accordance with their wishes, the following is released.

FOUNDER DIES BUT SCHOOL LIVES ON

It is sad news that Sandy Thomson, co founder of ATA – Air Training Services, died on 21st December 2003 after several months fighting against cancer.

Upon leaving the RAF after 17 years service he became an instructor at Oxford Training School. This led to jobs in Jordan and Trinidad, and in fact his ground school training expertise was enjoyed around the world including Malaysia, Cyprus and Florida. Returning to England he taught at Bournemouth and White Waltham before setting up ATA at Bagington near Coventry in 1992 with Pete Lines. ATA students benefited from his vast professional knowledge and upon learning of his death, numerous former students posted very kind remarks on www.pprune.com. Sandy had an incredible knowledge of aviation, and along with the other instructors at ATA was able to teach ground school to hundreds of successful students.

Sandy will be sadly missed at ATA, but his legacy lives on as they proceed to take the next students though JAAs.

[Carl Rawson]

Quite simply one of the most interesting and amusing men I've ever had the pleasure to meet and be taught by.
Good bye King of Perf. A.
R.I.P.
You will be missed!