RIP : Jeremy Labuschagne, CHC Africa

[Teignmouth]

Jeremy Labuschagne, long time CEO of CHC Africa (formerly Court Helicopters) died in Cape Town earlier today after apparently suffering a heart attack during an early morning training run.

Condolences to family, friends and colleagues.

RIP.

[Deanw]

That really is sad news!

I had lunch with him last month, great guy. Condolenses to family, friends and colleagues.

'Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;'

[bladestrap]

RIP Jeremy

Condolences to the family. You are in our thoughts.

Jeremy will be remembered for many things good. He was an ardent sportsman and a practising christian. He survived the St. James Church massacre some years ago, and that brought him closer to his maker. Go well Jeremy!

[340_co-jock]

RIP Jeremy

What a loss of a great sportsman, pilot and family man.
My condolences to the family. This comes after the family lost their son, Ian to cancer last year.
To Ian and Jeremy, may your spirits both hover forever.

The aviation community is now two great souls less.
RIP

[ou Trek dronkie]

A great and kind man, he will be deeply missed.

RIP

oTd

[marc perkins]

Condolences to all family,friends and associates.

"Keep your revs up fellow, the moon is yellow tonight .... "

mp

[Goldfish Jack]

To the family, his friends:

What a shocker and my deepest sympathies. You are in my thoughts at these times.

In my dealings with him, I was always struck by his logical thinking and rational solutions.

RIP

[fun fly]

Did our SAAF Wings Course together in 1960- one of 3 of us to do so from Natal.
A gentleman, condolences to family and friends.
Go well "Lappies".

[Cirrus SR22]

http://www.winnersatwork.co.za/tes20.asp

JEREMY LABUSCHAGNE

"IF YOU DON’T REALLY LOVE FLYING YOU WON’T MAKE IT"

JEREMY LABUSCHAGNE is a man who is used to being at the controls. He joined the airforce at the age of eighteen and earned his wings soon afterwards. Six years later he decided to go commercial and flew in South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar and Scotland. In 1976 he joined Court Helicopters, a subsidiary of Murray and Roberts, and by far the biggest helicopter company in Africa. Since then he has worked his way up through the ranks from flight instructor to managing director, equipping himself with a series of management qualifications along the way.

In 2000, after 40 years of flying, he reached the aviation milestone of 10 000 flying hours, which he achieved with his co-pilot son Ian, who has clocked 3 700 hours since starting in 1989. To qualify for a job with Court Helicopters, a pilot has to have full airline qualifications and 3 000 hours of flying under his belt.

"It’s becoming more and more difficult to find qualified helicopter pilots in South Africa," says Jeremy, explaining that the military has virtually ceased training pilots. Private training is very expensive, as is gaining enough airtime to be employed by one of the larger companies. "If you don’t really love flying and aren’t prepared to make sacrifices to achieve this goal, you won’t make it," he warns.

It was clearly his love for flying that prompted him to fly a rescue helicopter back in 1983, braving the intense heat and searing flames of the sinking tanker Castillo de Bellver, which caught fire off the Cape West Coast. His efforts to rescue a trapped crewman earned him the Wolraad Woltemade medal for bravery, which was awarded by the State President.

"Nowadays, I mostly fly a desk, but I fill in when there is a lot of work and the guys need me to help out," says the 60-year-old managing director who flew full-time until eight years ago. Over the years, Jeremy says, he has learnt to give over the controls of his life to God. Flying high above the earth in sometimes life-threatening situations has taught him that life is fragile and that we don’t know when it will be over. He says, "Therefore my relationship with God and certainty of my eternal destiny are of paramount importance. Furthermore, the accumulation of wealth and position is insufficient reason to exist.

What matters, in the final analysis, is a solid family relationship and sharing and building into the lives of others. Honesty, integrity and treating others with respect and equality are important to ensure good relationships."


JEREMY LABUSCHAGNE - BIOGRAPHY
Name:
Jeremy Labuschagne
Date of birth:
28 August 1942
Spouse:
Julie
Children:
Ian and Philip
Resident:
Rondebosch
School:
Port Natal High School, Durban
Tertiary education:
SAAF Pilots course, SAAF Officers course, Airline Transport Pilots Licence, General Management Diploma, various industry specific and management courses.
Church:
St. James, Kenilworth
Minister:
Ross Anderson
Industry represented:
Aviation
Employer:
CHC Helicopter Corporation
Current position:
Managing Director
Sports and Interests:
Running and cycling
Mentors:
Specifically Wes Maree in my Christian infancy and at different times various men in the CBMC Ministry.
Victories:
Wolraad Woltemade Bravery Award (Silver) by State President.
Role model for leadership:
Jesus
Values:
Honesty, integrity, transparency, loyalty, commitment, fairness, equality, justice and hard work.
Vision:
Where I am is where God has placed me with all the resources available to be the very best that I can be for His glory - this is my mission and my mission field. Constantly work at conforming to the likeness of Christ.
How do you see the future of SA?
I am optimistic, but qualify it by adding we need visionary leadership to create a society where every citizen can work and earn a decent living and enjoy personal safety. Placing God above the constitution is the recipe for success.
What important lesson has life taught you?
Life is fragile and we never know when it'll be over. Therefore, my relationship with God and the certainty of my eternal destiny is of paramount importance.
Words of wisdom to our youth:
A solid, happy family and the ability to encourage others is much more important than the accumulation of wealth or holding a high position.
What do you believe to be the keys to success in life?
Focus, hard work and a willingness to go the extra mile.Above all else, a personal relationship with Jesus and an active prayer life.

[Gunship]

:sad: A sad loss. :sad:

RIP Jeremy.

Condolences to his remaining family, friends and colleagues.