James David Hazelton 1931-2014

[Kooka]

Jim passed away today. A legend is gone. Final Caravan ferry just last December. Packed more into one lifetime than seems possible.

[Anthill]

Sad that an iconic pioneer has left this Earthfor the great airfield in the sky. Be joyful that this man has made a contribution to our profession and field of endeavour. There are few men and woman who have give so much to our industry and allowed individuals to find their own potential as humans. For this, we are grateful. Aviation is an incredible social leveller. Aviation does not care if you are rich or poor. It does not care what school you went to. The industry assesses each of us largely according to our ability. You cannot bull**** your workmates that you are better than you are. Jim was one of these blokes you allowed the young pilot with the fire in their belly to be given a go. He was an example of the old school and will be sorely missed.

[Manubada]

Vale Jim.


A absolute gentleman.


Manu'

[ozaggie]

Sad to hear of Jim's passing. Have a pic somewhere taken on Kangaroo Island.
Jim and an engineer had arrived in a Piper single (Comanche?), with a Gypsy engine in the locker, to do an engine change on Drover VH-ADN. I was about 12 or so, and remember our first meeting fondly, as I do all the rest over the years. Godspeed, Jim, a finer man I have not met.

[MakeItHappenCaptain]

Did one of the last ferrys with Jim and a couple of Islanders last year. Sorry to see you go, mate.:(

[Stanwell]

Yes. One of nature's gentlemen - and a legend.
He even had time for me as a snotty-nosed brat.


My condolences to his family and friends.

[lethalw]

Such a strange world we live in....

I met Jim in 2008 on Norfolk Island, we were flying out in a PC12 for Lord Howe then onto Adelaide...Jim had been waiting on Norfolk for a week or so for the weather to clear and for favorable winds for his flight to Lord Howe. In a Pawnee, or something similar he was ferrying from NZ to the mainland!!!! That hour spent kicking tires before we both lit the fires before departure was memorable on so many levels...as was chatting to him as we relayed his position and ops normal reports to centre, as he bumped along at 1000 amsl as that's where the best wind was. Didn't get a chance to speak to him on Lord Howe as we departed before he arrived.

And it was only this morning that I was talking to a captain inflight (who has also ferried around the world) about Mr Jim Hazelton, and what a fine example of a gentlemen and aviator he was....

RIP champ, I only knew you for one hour out of your life, but gained a lifetime of advice and respect!

[Minosavy Masta]

Farewell Ole Mate, I'm so glad I had the chance to chat with you a couple of weeks ago. You are the best Mentor a young fellow in The pursuit of aviation ever could have wished for....we had some great times together...it's a pitty that book you threatened to write didn't materialise ...you will always live on in the heart and mind of every Aviator you have ever had contact with. RIP Jim. You are and always will be. A Legend !

[Kharon]

Godspeed Jim, tailwinds and thank you.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
No 412 squadron, RCAF

[sms777]

Good by my old friend.....:{
I had my first flight with Jim in 1992 in his Duchess VH-CLE out of Camden for a company check flight. I think I was working for Camden Aviation at the time. We did the usual aerial work followed by a couple of circuits. I was on top of the world, young top gun material, I will show this old timer what todays pilots made out of. My first landing resulted in the towers comments that they cleared me for one landing only, not three in one so during go around Jim says" Do you mind if I do the next circuit?"... "Your aeroplane Jim, handing over". We had 15 knots of cross wind but he did the most amazing greaser landing I have ever experienced so I decided to pull my head in and never underestimate my elders so we developed a great friendship after that and many flights later I have realized that Jim is a legend and he was one of the most important persons responsible for making our skies safer.
RIP my friend......You will never be forgotten..:sad:

[TANUA]

I have worked for Jim & Max & know other members of the family. They were & are the "salt of the earth" in Australian Aviation.

Jim is now beside his Son Martin- who- passed away- way too young in life.I wish all of the family the very best & thank them for the small part we played in the family history.

sincerely, Chris Mansfield

[Stanwell]

Kharon,
Thanks for slipping that one in.
Monsieur St Expury?

[LeadSled]

Folks,
Oh! Boy!! Do I have some ripper memories flying with and briefly working for Jim!!
And some aeroplanes he ferried for us in another outfit ---- and so on and so on.
Another one of the true characters of aviation, and an all round good guy, gone.
Tootle pip!!

[PA39]

The passing of a GREAT Australian ICON! Australias Bob Hoover and Chuck Yeager. Not only could he fly anything with wings but could fly the boxes they came in! Jimmy was born with wings and was cool calm and collected in all situations. This is a sad and great loss for Australian aviation and I am sure anyone who knows anything about aircraft will remember Jimmy and miss him greatly. I remember when he and Bobby Gibbs took turns in flying the cri cri into the flight levels!! Aviator extroadinare.

[yr right]

A true pioneer to Australian aviation and an absolute gentleman.

Rip

[fencehopper]

Met the Gentleman as well at Camden back then when i worked there. Just like everyone else have a couple of yarns but i'll leave it at that.
I'll just say thanks for the time and valuable knowledge you gave me.
FH

[C.A.L.I.S.P.A]

I did not meet or know Jim personally, but would like to thank him for his effort and legacy that he left in the aviation industry. My thoughts go out to his family

[Dick Smith]

I will certainly miss Jim. What a wonderful person. I purchased my first aircraft from Jim way back in the late ‘70s and then became a firm friend. It was said that Jim would be able to fly a bit of 4-be-2 timber across the Pacific as long as the ferry tanks were full enough. Let’s start some Jim stories here.

What about the time when Jim and Keith Singh purchased a DC10 (yes, a DC10!) that was on the ground in Karachi. It appears it was a little burnt but after a while they managed to sell it and make a dollar!

I know there are lots of other stories. I encouraged Jim to write a book but he was always too busy ferrying aircraft to do so.

[Jacobs well]

I'm part of the ferrying fraternity that looked up to,gain knowledge from and admired the man.I am not articulate enough to express my thoughts completely,however his tutelage has made me an old pilot with many memories of both the good old days and the vastly changing new ways.
I'm still flying and teaching because of his knowledge,australian aviation has lost a great pilot and more importantly a great man.
You will be remembered by many.
God's speed

[KRUSTY 34]

Jim owned Navair when I learnt to fly there 30 years ago. My instructor remarked to me that he had never flown with anyone with such beautiful hands. And he didn't mean their physical appearance!:).

Some years later Jim was endorsing me on a Queenair which was an old Air Ambulance. As we flew around the BK training area and the Camden circuit he looked at the rego and remarked, "This is the aircraft that rushed me to Sydney after I suffered my Aortal aneurism! We better look after her". Classic Jim!

It was a privilege to have known you, and an honour to have flown with you. Clear skies old friend. The World is a lesser place for your passing.

[puff]

Tanua - totally agree, I never had the pleasure of meeting Jim but I flew with Martin once, and what a lovely bloke and a top pilot as well, it was obviously in the family genes!

Hopefully Martin and his old man are catching up for a beer somewhere. Another Australian aviation character lost, but not forgotten!

[pithblot]

As a child I'd met Mr Hazelton a few times and remember, when I was about 12, talking with him at BK one evening. The airport seemed deserted, sun was setting and he was waiting for the arrival of what I think was the last new PA31 into Australia.

Some years later I had the honour and pleasure of Jim's instruction as he taught me to fly his C180, VH-CYJ. He was a fine gentleman and I'm richer for both experiences.

Pithblot

[Handswing]

I flew with Jim in his Twin Comanche LEU doing my instrument rating in 1992. Taking off from RWY 11L at night the left engine failed. We continued to fly a practice ILS into Mascot. It was a lesson in life as well as flying. I am eternally grateful to Jim.

[PA39]

You could write a book on Jimmy's experiences and run out of ink before you ran out of stories. A fabulous aviator, a wonderful man and a GREAT Australian. Dear o Dear the queue is getting shorter :(

[MakeItHappenCaptain]

JIM HAZELTON A life well lived…………….
“We loved him for his humour, integrity, gentleness and yet rugged determination, loyalty, friendship, reliability and sheer warmth. He was generous to a fault and always encouraged the young. It is incredible just thinking what he has contributed to Aviation.”…..from Dr Michael Long ,family friend and Aviator

A celebration of Jim's life and achievements will be held at the Tacking Point SLSC, Matthew Flinders Dr, Port Maquarie, on 26th June, 2014 from 11am to 4pm.

There will be a fly past (weather permitting), a photograph display and some old movies.

Stories about Jim are welcome by all. If you have photographs or any stories please can you bring them or email a copy as these will contribute to the yet untold story about the life of this remarkable Australian Aviator in the form of a book.
If you have any questions please contact Jillian (0419-741679)
or Wendy Hazelton(0405-104039)

RSVP; [email protected]

[Kwod]

One of life's gentlemen, and an amazing pilot.

[Olive61]

I've had the great privilege to have flown with three of Jim's family and he was the first. The industry has lost a truly great pioneer and airman. For Jim, aviation was always about the love of flying, and with Jim the 'love' part of the aviation profession was in Bold, Italics, and Underlined - a great gentleman who will be sadly missed by all those lucky enough to have known him. Dave G

[Capt Casper]

There are no doubt a lot of people who would like to attend, but distance and transport can be a problem. It is for me.
Without incurring the wrath of our moderators or our beloved "Authority", I would like to suggest that anyone flying in with spare seats might be good enough to post a departure point. The rest could be done by "Private Messages" and telephone.
e.g.
Public Memorial, 26 June, Port Maquarie - YMMB
It is amazing what networking can do!

[sms777]

Capt Casper,
Congratulations for an excellent idea! :D...... I am standing by for offers out of BK.

[dhavillandpilot]

Good idea SMS777

I was thinking of going on Thursday.

Have 6 seats available ex BK. Cost would just be for the Avgas.

Anyone interested PM me with a contact number

[sms777]

Count me in dhp.....:ok:
Cheers.

[MakeItHappenCaptain]

I'll be heading from YBAF.:ok:

[VHJLH]

That books been written
Do your self a great favour and go to hazelton publications on line!

Farewell Ole Mate, I'm so glad I had the chance to chat with you a couple of weeks ago. You are the best Mentor a young fellow in The pursuit of aviation ever could have wished for....we had some great times together...it's a pitty that book you threatened to write didn't materialise ...you will always live on in the heart and mind of every Aviator you have ever had contact with. RIP Jim. You are and always will be. A Legend !

[megan]

Only ever met Jim the once, at an airshow for the opening of Blyth, SA airstip. He provided his 180 and flew us for the skydiving on the proviso that we put him out the door the following day. Don't know if he had ever jumped before, the instruction was minimal, if any, it was the day following a rousing BBQ after all.

Jim in the seat, vale RIP.


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