Aviation Icon Col Pay Lost in Crash (Merged)
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 797
Likes: 3
From: Enroute from Dagobah to Tatooine...!
No WAY! I read this thread with disbelief and great sadness... As others have said - he died doing what he loved most.
Thank you Col for sharing your planes and skill with all of Australia. I still have fond memories of venturing into your hangar with awe and looking over the machines hiding there. Later, I enjoyed sharing the experience with select students as we stopped at Scone on a cross-country. Later still I enjoyed listening to you talk with one of my boss's as you discussed your precious warbirds.
Rest In Peace Ozzie Legend!
Thank you Col for sharing your planes and skill with all of Australia. I still have fond memories of venturing into your hangar with awe and looking over the machines hiding there. Later, I enjoyed sharing the experience with select students as we stopped at Scone on a cross-country. Later still I enjoyed listening to you talk with one of my boss's as you discussed your precious warbirds.
Rest In Peace Ozzie Legend!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Canberra
Never had the chance to meet the man personally, but am aware of his reputation and i have watched his displays over the years with admiration.
If its any consolation i guess he died doing what he (we) loved.
Condolences to those closest.
RIP.
(edited for a misunderstanding)
If its any consolation i guess he died doing what he (we) loved.
Condolences to those closest.
RIP.
(edited for a misunderstanding)
Last edited by Flyingblind; 7th December 2007 at 08:13.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne
..........Col is not dead as such, he's just not contactable anymore. His work, his enthusiasm, his love of just chattinng the the man in the street about planes will always live on in our hearts & minds. What we see of his work is thru his eyes. He paved the way for others to just simply look & admire the dreams of one very determined man.
We salute you you Col for we are better off for having you grace the skies in which we now enjoy as our own playground:-)
RIP CP
Capt Wally :-(
We salute you you Col for we are better off for having you grace the skies in which we now enjoy as our own playground:-)
RIP CP
Capt Wally :-(
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 449
Likes: 1
From: Third Barstool on the left
For the last time...
...Col was no relation to Judy.
Judy is a great bird and was married to a bloke called Alan Pay, who was also no relation.
Col is survived by his wonderful wife Diane, son Ross and two daughters - Helen and (I think) Maryanne.
Thoughts with the family tonight.
Judy is a great bird and was married to a bloke called Alan Pay, who was also no relation.
Col is survived by his wonderful wife Diane, son Ross and two daughters - Helen and (I think) Maryanne.
Thoughts with the family tonight.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 1
From: gold coast QLD australia
Col, mate I cannot believe it. A great Aviator, a true gentleman, how much enjoyment you gave us all with your wonderful warbirds. We are in shock, as much of the Australian Aviation scene must be tonight. Fly in peace mate, on your last circuit, God Bless, and our thoughts are with your family.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,569
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From: Melbourne
.........am sure Col's age wasn't a contributing factor to this sad event.Can't say that 100% certain obviously but when can you in aviation?
I know another guy who is in his 80's that flies on a regular basis & could fly the pants off most of us in here.
As far as I can understand Col was trying out technics that involved very low flying over a body of water taking onboard water as he flew along for the use of fire suppression. Sounds like he hit the water during one of these attempts & the immediate drag from that caused the A/C to pitch over & abruptly come to rest inverted where it sank quickly. If this info is incorrect then I stand corrected & I only heard about on the news but it does sound plausable & something that Col would be trying to achieve for the benifit of others.
Col yr 'wing's now are truely there forever!:-)
Capt Wally
I know another guy who is in his 80's that flies on a regular basis & could fly the pants off most of us in here.
As far as I can understand Col was trying out technics that involved very low flying over a body of water taking onboard water as he flew along for the use of fire suppression. Sounds like he hit the water during one of these attempts & the immediate drag from that caused the A/C to pitch over & abruptly come to rest inverted where it sank quickly. If this info is incorrect then I stand corrected & I only heard about on the news but it does sound plausable & something that Col would be trying to achieve for the benifit of others.
Col yr 'wing's now are truely there forever!:-)
Capt Wally
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 449
Likes: 1
From: Third Barstool on the left
From speaking to the witnesses:
the RH wheel & ski was significantly lower in the water than the LH as he did his 2nd run.
The Skis has an intake on the bottom and a hose fitted to the top which fed into the hopper.
from the video hi RH ski made a -ve AoA at some point and dug in
Flipped onto nose & spun to the right - stopped hard.
ATSB were due to get here about 7pm tonight. Up to them. 
Col's age not a factor. No disrespect Amos2 but I did my LL Aero's renewal with him 6 months ago and I would bet he would have whipped you.
the RH wheel & ski was significantly lower in the water than the LH as he did his 2nd run.
The Skis has an intake on the bottom and a hose fitted to the top which fed into the hopper.
from the video hi RH ski made a -ve AoA at some point and dug in
Flipped onto nose & spun to the right - stopped hard.
ATSB were due to get here about 7pm tonight. Up to them.
Col's age not a factor. No disrespect Amos2 but I did my LL Aero's renewal with him 6 months ago and I would bet he would have whipped you.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 292
Likes: 34
From: Australia
I recall a Jeff Watson video featuring Col afew years ago where Jeff said to him, some thing like, "you must feel like the luckiest man in the world to own a Mustang and a Spitfire".
The laconic reply was " ya, the harder I work, the luckier I get...!".
RIP.
The laconic reply was " ya, the harder I work, the luckier I get...!".
RIP.
Grandpa Aerotart
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 3
From: SWP
Very sad indeed...last saw Col 5 years ago picking the Bo up from Scone...He gave me the guided tour of his toy shed.
To have lasted 50 years at Ag flying says all that needs to be said about a brilliant pair of hands and an enthusiastic and enquiring mind...he was the living embodiment of the term 'Aviator' and represented everything that is good and true in this industry.
Australian aviation is poorer today.
To have lasted 50 years at Ag flying says all that needs to be said about a brilliant pair of hands and an enthusiastic and enquiring mind...he was the living embodiment of the term 'Aviator' and represented everything that is good and true in this industry.
Australian aviation is poorer today.
AustralianMade
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: Out in the weather!
According the the 5pm news on channel Ten, Col's body has been recovered and the wreckage of the aircraft will shortly be recovered as well.
Well said Chuck.
Australian aviation is poorer today.