PADDY HAYCOCK RIP +
 

Ex-Heathrow ATCO Paddy Haycock died in the last few days. I understand that his funeral will be at Guildford Crematorium on Wednesday afternoon.

Paddy retired in 1979 and had been an operational Heathrow controller for nearly 20 years prior to that. He was definitely one of the real "characters" of ATC. I recall my first visit to ADC on my posting to Heathrow... sitting next to Paddy on Air (just one freq, 118.2, in those days). An inbound BEA Trident was weaving back and forth on the 28L ILS and Paddy asked "who's that avoiding the flak over Hounslow tonight?". Quick as a flash someone responded: "Is it thick tonight, London?"

Couple of years ago, when Paddy was about 80, he came to a Heathrow nostalgia evening sporting a huge white beard. Even some of his past colleagues failed to recognise him... until he opened his mouth. An unforgettable accent.

God Bless you Paddy, you were great fun to work with..

So sad to hear about Paddy. I joined “D” watch in 1964 and Paddy was the oldest member then. What a character!! Some of the things that were transmitted by Paddy would never have found their way into MATS Pt 2. For an instance, one day he was had a BOAC 707 lined up on 28R and had just rolled a DC3 and “God” was getting anxious to roll. Paddy’s answer, “Dak just airborne, if you close your eyes you are clear to roll”—answer “eyes closed rolling”.
I would like to make the funeral but distance is against me.

I must be even older than “Heathrow Director”!!!

Carrying on from my previous, my wife has just reminded me that she was on a sector sitting next to the outbound controller (this is the days pre-Mediator at the old Southern Radar north side of the airport) who was somewhat puzzled by the Speedbird’s first call to him “London can we open our eyes now?

What heady days! I'm the oldest but not the longest validated - AC has been valid well over 30 years and retires next year. You're far better off where you are J - there's very little fun nowadays..

If I recall correctly, Paddy was in the Training Section with DS when I started @ EGLL in 1970.
HD - I was ATCA on D watch under Jack Hollis , Les West, Jack Frith & Bob Cook 1970 to 72 - might we know each other ?

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Damn, I got old quick !

A little more info. Paddy died on 5th June, aged 81, but his funeral was thought to have been delayed so that his son, who lives in Australia, could be present. His son presented a moving oration to the congregation which included just three of Paddy's former colleagues - two current Heathrow (TC) controllers and JK.

[This message has been edited by HEATHROW DIRECTOR (edited 22 June 2001).]

Heathrow Director can you e-mail me, you have obviously sussed who I am but you have just blown who I thought you were ie. AC.