Former HATC AsA

[themwasthe days]

Following comment appeared 26/2/2004 in a thread on airspace classification.
Annex 11:
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“….initiative that is not its own and that deliberately reduces the level of safety and through the random movement of unnotified VFR traffic will likely hamper the efficiency of operations”
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The highest levels of the ANSP were advised by their HATC that this initiative, that was from another source, was a deliberate lowering of safety standards? How was this factored into the “safety assessment process” - assuming some credible one was undertaken?
And he was ‘rewarded’ with the sack!!!
Phil Faulkner died of a heart attack in Geneva yesterday, 3 years to the day after this post,whilst continuing his untiring goal to improve aviation safety.
RIP Phil!

[Scurvy.D.Dog]

.... he was a most decent man placed under enormous stress in recent years :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
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... he was pivotal in turning the tide against the fundamentally flawed Airspace odyssey in 03/04 ..
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... I am sure he would have taken comfort from the knowledge that his concerns were vindicated and acted upon! .... his strength of character leaves a fine legacy .... our industry, our profession and all of you are safer for his efforts :D :ok:
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:sad:
.... what a travesty he was not at home in Oz sitting in the shade of a gum tree with a beer in hand when he was taken :mad: :( :{
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... rest well Phil

[Judicium Dei]

Shocked. Great man.

RIP Indeed with the knowledge that he stood tall against mediocrity.

Whilst Cowardice continues to be rewarded and Courage condemned.

In deepest shame should those bow their heads in his honour.

[SM4 Pirate]

A true gentleman indeed. Enjoyed a laugh, enjoyed a nice red, enjoyed a cleansing ale, he passionately cared about aviation safety; especially the provision of a service and suffered fools lightly.

Rest in peace Phil; you will be missed.

[Dick N. Cider]

Spoke with Phil's kids and ex yesterday. Phil was found on the floor of his office. Although Phil had some issues relating to his heart over the past couple of years his specialist had advised him that things were OK as late as late last week.

For those that don't know, Phil resigned as Head Air Traffic Controller following an extended period, during the NAS debacle, in which the executive management of Airservices showed an appalling lack of support for the person accountable for safety under the operating certificate. Phil's continued professionalism, and personal integrity, did not allow him to bow to political expediency. He was never accused of being a "Yes" man. This does not imply that Phil was implacably opposed to the direction of management of Airservices but he felt that uncomfortable truths are better dealt with than swept under the carpet. That Phil's advice proved extremely accurate did little to ease the tensions within Airservices management over his role. Phil's forthrightness was mistaken by some upper management as being recalcitrant when in fact his abiding concern was for the welfare of the travelling public, his beloved fellow controllers and protection of the industry (not the same as protectionism Dick!) he so ably served for the duration of his working life.

Phil left Airservices to help rebuild the safety culture of Skyguide in Switzerland. His reputation from Australia was if anything short of the actual man. Phil's blunt but astute advice on matters relating to the safe provision of air traffic services was in my judgement a testimony to the prodigious knowledge, skills and experience of a man who was never afraid of work. His advice was ignored at your peril. There remains not a shred of a doubt that we are all better off for the efforts of this man.

To Lisa (Phil's wife) Bailey (his stepson) and Phil's family in Australia (Laine, Nick, Sally and David) - Phil was and remains a great man whose loss will be mourned by many.

Phil was a mentor, a great personal friend, and an impossible ideal of integrity that most of us could only hope to aspire to.

Phil I'll miss you.

Vale Phil Faulkner, aged 62

[jumpuFOKKERjump]

The same man contemplating the residual risks from the LLAMP was heard to say, "You don't actually believe I'm going to sign off this **** do you?"

There was no, erm, mystery about him, he told you what he thought. Very sad to hear the news.

[Freedom7]

You meet a lot of people in this company. You remember most, but never forget those few.

You were one of the few Phil.

Thoughts to all of Phil's family and fellow friends.

You are a great bloke who is sadly missed....

[Dick N. Cider]

Phil will be cremated in Geneva and, later this year, his ashes will be spread by the Murrumbidgee (Phil's early bushwalking haunt).

There will be a gathering in Brisbane on Monday at 1500. Nothing too maudlin, simply a chance to catch up and reminisce about Phil "the Flenser". For details contact some of Phil's friends (the old boys network) or Brisbane ATC. Voices of Reason take note.

DNC

[themwasthe days]

Friday the 10th March, Phil was cremated in Geneva.
A gathering of family, friends, colleagues and representatives from all areas of his private and aviation circles, numbering in excess of 120 people, including a good representation of Aussies, attended the service, where many tributes to Phil were made.
Afterwards a large group gathered at Lisa’s home where in true Aussie style, the diehards remained to the end, with the last to fall at 2:30am! Phil would be proud!!:ok:
It was significant that in his role as skyguide safety manager, representation at the service from that company came from no less than the CEO, down through the ranks to office secretaries and support people, in such esteem was his effort recognised.
The following poem was offered in tribute to Phil;
You can shed tears that he is gone
or you can smile because he has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all he's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him and only that he's gone
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what he'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.