Danny Woolf

[Steamhead]

Danny Woolf died last night age 47 .
He has trained hundreds of you guys, who fly the big birds, over the last 25 years at Southend,plus commercial GRT's, AFI ratings and tests. A asset to this industry that will be missed.
R.I.P.

[rolling20]

Danny did my GFT back in 92. i was as nervous as hell, iwas convinced i'd failed.
He sat me down afterwards and then kindly told me id passed and to relax more when flying.i always remembered that advice and was always respected him for it
He did my twin rating four years later,and i eased through it.
He would always be welcoming at the club and shuffled things around to get you airborne,even with a heavy programme on.
I understand he would have been on the flight deck himself,but for colourblindness.
My thoughts are with his wife and three children .
Farewell Danny..it was great to have known you!

[THAI TUN]

One of the things that attracts me to aviation is that it seems to have more than it's fair share of decent, honorable folks, and Danny is a prime example.

Like many of us here I was lucky enough to have him as my instructor for the CPL and instructor courses. He was not only an excellent pilot and instructor, but a thoroughly nice guy. His attitude towards his illness was incredibly brave. What a fine example to us all.

Thanks Danny

Mark

[Rocket Ron]

A sad day indeed - Danny did my instructor rating in 1990 - probably the most charming, friendly and enthusiastic person in aviation I've ever had the privilege to meet.

You will be sadly missed Danny - may you Rest in Peace.

[StressFree]

Bad news indeed, Danny was such a decent chap, RIP.

[The man formerly known as]

Great Guy.

Danny Exam57 did my GFT a few years ago and passed with a bollocking. He dispelled my fear of CAAFU examiners.

He also gave me a lot of motivation to carry on with flying when I was about to chuck it all in.

We'll all miss you.

[Nightstop]

Sad news indeed. I knew Danny way back in '76 when we were at Ted Clack's Southend Light Aviation Centre, a very hot summer made brighter still by Danny's presence. RIP.

[mjenkinsblackdog]

poor old danny.HE was always direct in your on mistakes.How did he pass away anyway.

[Suggs]

Shocked

Hadn't spoken to him for a year when he was going to do an instructors rating for me.

Danny was a popular lad down in Essex and Southend, known by everyone and sadly missed.

AJ

[Zlin526]

Sad day indeed. Danny did my GFT and made me feel so at ease it was like taking a mate flying! Another great loss....

[BJF]

Danny was a legend around Southend airport. He was always campaigning against the unfair fees and legislation imposed by both the CAA and the JAA. He wasn't afraid to go up against anybody. A great instructor and a great man. RIP.

[HugMonster]

Oh damn it - that's spoiled my day.

I'd dealt with Danny in a variety of guises over many years, and then did my AFI rating with him. He was a rare person. Even when things were obviously weighing him down, I never, ever, knew him to be in a bad mood. He was always smiling, always optimistic and upbeat.

An excellent instructor, a thoroughly nice guy, a great aviation enthusiast. There weren't many like him.

He's a sad loss, and my most sincere condolences to his family.

Can someone please post funeral arrangements when known?

In tribute perhaps there ought to be a mass formation flypast of 152's... Something tells me that would have tickled his sense of humour. :)

[xthepond]

Danny Woolf is the main reason I am flying professionally and for one of the biggest airlines in the U.K. He did some of my initial ppl training, all of my AFI and commercial training. Every time I get airbourne I take some of his advice and humour into the air with me.

Quite simply he was the best and I aspire to be half as good as he was.

His family are a credit to him and my thoughts are with them at this sad and untimely point.

Rest in Peace Danny and do some barrel rolls for me.

[IcePack]

I was one of the instructors at Southend Light Aviation Centre who helped teach Danny to fly.
If there was ever a pilot who deserved a A.T.P.L. he was one. Danny jumped through all the hoops that the C.A.A. threw at him.
I had the pleasure to fly with Danny some years later and was most impressed with his ability. A sad loss and so young.
R.I.P.

[Steamhead]

Sorry everyone been out all day so could not monitor replies.
1) Danny died from the BIG 'C'
2) The funeral is tomorrow Thursday at the Jewish Cemetery Waltham Abbey 1300 hrs
3) I will print off all your messages of condolence and give them to his wife Janet
regards to all

[rightbank]

Not unexpected news, but nevertheless very very sad. Danny taught me to fly more years ago than I care to remember. In latter years he did a couple of instructor renewals for me, the most recent only last year. By that time I believe that due to his illness he was restricted to flying with qualified pilots only(i.e. instructor courses,renewals or similar), yet he still exuded enthusiasm. Needless to say the end of my last renewal finished up with him doing a barrel roll (in an aerobat) as immaculately as ever, not to mention having taught me quite a few things that I didn't know! If I can remember only half of what he taught me I will be more than happy. Sincere condolences to his family. He will be much missed.

[old-timer]

VERY VERY SAD NEWS indeed,

Danny took my NFT back in 1989,
I got in a right tizz with flight planning & I was about to quit, but he was superb, he
allowed me to sort myself out & I passed
ok, he was an Aviator of the old school,
superbly talented & irreplaceable.


Kindest thoughts & condolences to his
family, friends & colleagues.

He will be missed greatly.

the skies above essex will be a sadder place without him,



[This message has been edited by old-timer (edited 01 April 2001).]

[JUMBO400]

Danny was a Gentleman, a Professional Pilot. I had the pleasure of doing his IR renewal and the pleasure of him doing my examiner's renewal. Danny taught me/us a lot not just about aviation but about life, he lost his fight against the big "C" but he gave it a bloody good run for it's money. RIP old Boy

[Case One]

Stunned to hear this. Danny sent me solo in '85. Approachable, enthusiastic, professional. Thanks again for the start he gave me.
RIP.

[Redline]

What a great guy, what a sad loss. He fought it with dignity and without a hint of self pity.
My sympathies to Janet and the children.

RIP Woolfie

[chihuahua]

So sorry to hear the sad news. A true gentleman who I flew with on several occasions.

[JamesG]

Danny Woolf signed me off as a PPL in 1994 and was always around with a friendly word of advice in the early days afterwards.

I heard he was ill, but thought that he may have recovered.

It is a very sad loss for all of us who knew Danny and my condolences go to those close to him.

A very nice and decent man.

[Steamhead]

Attended the funeral today, about 250 people their, many faces from the past 25 years.
very sad,
R.I.P.

[Jonty]

Danny did my BCPL GFT in 1998, a very sad day

[Lets do it INVERTED]

Danny did my CPL GFT and FI test, a suberb instructor not to mention a throughly nice bloke, Iam sure he will be greatly missed, and EXAM57 can never be replaced.

My condolences to his family.

[autobrakemedium]

When I was doing my AFI course with Danny, I was having a moan about the fact that a friend of mine had got a job flying a jet and I didn't despite having more hours than he did, Danny said, "At least one day you will get your Boeing"

On another day I flew him in the venerable G-BOTF to Cranfield for him to do a GFT on somebody. I was sitting outside the flying school when one of the instructors came up to me and said "Oh my god, I have told my student to start the engine in that plane over there and I have now got to go and get in it with a CAA examiner over there"

I recounted this story to Danny on the flight back to Southend, and he goes "What was he worried about, I am not CAA I am Danny!" I think that just about summed him up.

He had a great way of putting everything into perspective. He never made you feel stupid when telling you what you did wrong. Probably one of the best instructors I have ever flown with.

Why does the worst stuff happen to the nicest guys?

[G-OGET]

Sorry to hear the very sad news. Danny helped me acheive so much and always offered good advice with good humour. Condolences to his family.

[YouNeverStopLearning]

Very sad news and I wish to express my condolences to his family.

Like many others I did some training with Danny.

He was a good and honourable man.

Everything else has been said.

Rest In Peace Danny.

[old-timer]

I would like to contribute towards a
donation in memory of Danny,
cancer research would seem a good option,
what do you think folks ?

[Mach.1]

Sorry to here the sad news, Danny was a Gentleman. He help me on the way to my licence's.

M.1

[Spam Fritter]

Very sorry.

Love to his family.
Like so many of you above I doubt that I would have made it without his help.

S.F.

[Steamhead]

To those among us who wish to make a donation in memory of Danny then Janet, his wife, has suggested a donation to the address
below, where Danny spent some of his last days. An alternative is a donation to cancer reseach in his memory.
Fairhaven Hospice
126 Chalkwell Ave.
Westcliff on Sea,
Essex.
SS0 8HN

Thanks to everyone for there kind thoughts.

[old-timer]

Thanks for the suitable donation info' I'll arrange to send mine
to Fairhaven,

I cant imagine Southend without Danny being around, although I'm sure he will be with us in spirit everytime we fly,

why do the good people die young, life is not fair,

[HugMonster]

This has been an extraordinary thread.

The number of people whose lives Danny changed for ever is fantastic. And that there should be a thread such as this is, in my experience of PPRuNe, unprecedented in that there is not one expression of anything but admiration for who Danny was and what he did, and sorry at our loss and that of his family.

I shall also be making a donation in his memory, but perhaps the best tribute we can all pay him is to remember in our flying his enthusiasm, his professionalism, and, most of all, everything he ever taught us.

It's quite humbling, really. We probably would all wish to receive such tributes after our own demise as have been paid to Danny. In truth, not many of us will.

[Steamhead]

Danny's Wife Janet has contacted me and asked me to post the following :-
She thanks everyone for their kind thoughts and condolences to a loving Husband and Father and it is nice to know he was so well liked by so many friends.
She has been surprised and helped in her loss by the comments on this thread and letters, cards, and phone calls she has received.
I would like to add my thanks to everyone.
Regards
Steamhead.

[Steamhead]

I Have been asked to post the following :-


Danny Woolf


“Southend Tower. Golf Victor Kilo clear of Runway 24, pausing at the 06 Holding Point. The pilot will now be Danny Woolf for a First Solo. Over.”
It was noon on Dec. 23rd. 1975, a bright clear day with a light SW wind and very light traffic. He taxied away, took off and returned to guide the blue and white Cherokee over the firm, yet bumpy grass outside Southend Light Aviation Centre; a very broad smile on his face said it all!
That was the beginning of the end of Danny’s days working hard on the London markets, selling tools. When times were hard financially we used to joke and say that the only people who could afford to fly were dentists and market traders! Danny, of course, disagreed emphatically!
In the Seventies there was much business to be had at both the Flying Club and the Airport in general. Danny progressed from a basic P.P.L. to add to his qualifications and follow the Assistant Flying Instructors’ Course. Despite being unable to gain a Night Rating due to his colour blindness he carried on undeterred to reach his ultimate goal – that of a Qualified Flying Instructor. As we all know, the C.A.A. has constantly moved the goal posts on the field of aviation, and when the regulations came in for all Instructors to have a Commercial Licence Danny was fearful because of his night restriction. However he worked hard to pass the necessary exams and was granted the (restricted) C.P.L. which he duly deserved.
We all know that the rungs of the ladder are not there merely to rest upon, but as a means of climbing higher. After a few years initially instructing a Seawing Flying Club, Danny returned to his old hunting ground. Southend Light Aviation Centre had long since become Southend Flying Club and it was as C.F.I. that Danny rejoined some familiar faces.
As the years passed Danny added more qualifications to his status, to include that of F.I.C. Instructor and finally Panel Examiner, for which he was in great demand on both single and twin-engined aircraft. He always claimed that he did not find studying easy and it is to his immense credit that he persevered, and thus spent many hours running Instructor Courses in his Warrior G-BOTF.
It was in his early days at the Club that he met Janet Lovegrove, who used to help in the Office on Saturdays-and the rest, as they say, is history! Danny married Janet and their union produced three lovely children of whom he was very proud – Ben, Sam and Kate. Danny valued a good education very highly, and with Janet, did his utmost to make sure that his family had a good start in life.
Danny’s main interests were flying, music and literature, and many a rainy Winter’s day when there was no flying we spent time discussing (not always in agreement!) the merits and such of certain literary figures. Poetry he loved, and far from the world of Betjeman and amongst all the verses we shared over the years I now think only of Kingsford Smith when he finally was parted from his aircraft, the Southern Cross:

“Old faithful friend – a long adieu.
These are poor words with which to tell
Of all my pride, my joy in you.
True to the end you served us well.”

Annie B

[Steamhead]

Information
There is a Book of Remembrance at Southend Flying Club for anyone who wishes to drop in and add their thoughts and comments.
A cup of tea is always available.
Regards

[old-timer]

Thank you steamhead, I will call in to
sign it,
how are his family bearing up ?
a tough time for them,


kind regards,