Derek Hammond RIP

[formerlongbox]

Fellow rotorheads it is with sadness to let anyone who knew him that Derek passed away on Saturday at 9pm. He was living out in Cyprus and it is thought to be cancer. He was one of the industry characters and in his day was a great pilot, I certainly learnt a lot from him and will miss him.

I have let his family know about the page so if anyone has anything to add it would be great.

[OvertHawk]

I'm very sorry to hear that Longbox.

I learned a huge amount from Derek early in my career and his support as a Chief Pilot was reassuring.

I remember him saying "Don't ever be afraid to turn down a flight for any reason. I'll probably jump in the machine and go and do it myself, but that's me not you! I'll never criticise you for not doing a task but I will give you a real bollocking for not saying something if you're not sure".

He was certainly a character and his take on the way aviation should work was not to everyone's taste ;) but I'm a better Pilot for having known and flown with him and I'm sure that's true of many others.

Thanks Derek!

[paco]

RIP Derek!

Phil

[Jarvy]

Feeling very sad reading this. Had some great times with Derek and a lot of memories are flooding back. Top of which has to be the fuel bowser at St.Andrews, you had to be there!
RIP Del

[HeliAl]

RIP Derek. No more Clackton Pier events.

[Jettiejock]

Indeed. The CAA tried to prosecute Derek for landing on the pier to pick up his wife from shopping, so he told me. But when he revealed his logbook that showed he had many pleasure flying hours from the pier, the case collapsed and the CAA, once more, had egg on its face. RIP Derek, you were a great character.

[paco]

He was certainly that - I remember those white socks.....

[formerlongbox]

Only the white socks, surely the 40 a day must stir a memory, he was buried today in Cyprus. The Clayton landing was a joke, I had rang and got permission prior to him leaving, it was all a waste of time and money.