Very Sad News
 

Early this morning, George Neal, the ninety eight year old retired Chief Test Pilot of DH Canada passed away, I doubt this nation will see the likes of him again.

I corresponded with George in the 70s, when he was looking for a RR Kestrel engine and met him once, when he was passing through Calgary.

An absolutely "nice guy".

There is to be a celebration Of Life in memory of George Neal at the Brampton Airport on May the fourteenth, lets give George a grand send of!

Do you have the details of George's service on Sat.?

I stopped in at Brampton today to discuss the arrangements, and was pleased to get a glimpse of some of the fascinating items which will be on display. It should be a great event!

A super event at Brampton this afternoon. Lots of great stories, and visiting with old friends. Over and above all of the memorabilia, was the Caribou control wheel!

It is told that when the Caribou transport aircraft George was test flying fluttered and disintegrated around he and the Transport Canada test pilot, George's control wheel came off in his hand, so when he abandoned the aircraft, he took it with him. Well, his niece held it up during her eulogy!

George was certainly an inspiration, and Canadian aviation icon.

Yes, it was a fine tribute to a remarkable man, his aviation related skills covered everything from his analytical test flying to his incredible restorations of vintage aircraft and reproductions of WW1 aircraft. On top of this George was a most cultured and modest man, none of the brashness one often sees in much lesser self promoting individuals, already I miss my weekly chats with George, his impish humour and sage advice which he gave without a thought of getting anything in return. I have a $20 coin with his image on it along with the Twin Otter which he test flew, I have it with me every time I fly the Hornet Moth to remind me of him and his advice so freely given. Goodbye dear friend.