Tribute to Glen
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Banbury, United Kingdom
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Ahhh the memories of an outstanding character.....
I first met Glen at Leeds in 1978 just after he left Northair and had started Citation Flying Services (I think it was called).
We met in a hotel and within 2 weeks my phone rang in Scotland and I found myself on the way to Teuge in Holland in Glen's C337 (G-FAST) to ferry back a C172 he was selling in the UK.
I thought I had died and gone to heaven in those days. I (a relatively low houred PPL/IMC) would get the call, jump onto Air UK and rumble over to Holland and bring back many (about 10 I think including the mighty C206) examples of the Cessna family to various parts of the UK.Throughout this period I knew I always would have Glen's peculiarly laconic drawling voice only a phone call away encouraging me on, if should doubt my abilities(which was often!)...he was always right and I learnt "shed loads"!
I then moved South and got more invoved in the aviation scene and I didn't see him for a while.
Later when I was flying B200s and latterly shiney jets, I would always make a point of visiting Soloflight, when I found myself at Humberside, and introduce my bemused co-pilots to one of the greatest pilots and friends a man could ever have.
Glen's death came as a total surprise to me since I was only phoning Mel yesterday to ask Mel & Glen about an FAA technicality (they have such an in-depth knowledge of the FAA system) and Mel gave me the shocking news.
I haven't cried for 20 years....I did then.
There will be many kind words from almost the entire aviation community.The world is a colder place for his parting, but those of us who were privileged to know him will always have a glow inside at the mention of his name.
Mel, so many words of condolence will be said in the days to come but my thoughts are only for you now, it's a bastard to be left behind so try and be strong darling you will always have the biggest "glow" of all of us.......
Jez.
I first met Glen at Leeds in 1978 just after he left Northair and had started Citation Flying Services (I think it was called).
We met in a hotel and within 2 weeks my phone rang in Scotland and I found myself on the way to Teuge in Holland in Glen's C337 (G-FAST) to ferry back a C172 he was selling in the UK.
I thought I had died and gone to heaven in those days. I (a relatively low houred PPL/IMC) would get the call, jump onto Air UK and rumble over to Holland and bring back many (about 10 I think including the mighty C206) examples of the Cessna family to various parts of the UK.Throughout this period I knew I always would have Glen's peculiarly laconic drawling voice only a phone call away encouraging me on, if should doubt my abilities(which was often!)...he was always right and I learnt "shed loads"!
I then moved South and got more invoved in the aviation scene and I didn't see him for a while.
Later when I was flying B200s and latterly shiney jets, I would always make a point of visiting Soloflight, when I found myself at Humberside, and introduce my bemused co-pilots to one of the greatest pilots and friends a man could ever have.
Glen's death came as a total surprise to me since I was only phoning Mel yesterday to ask Mel & Glen about an FAA technicality (they have such an in-depth knowledge of the FAA system) and Mel gave me the shocking news.
I haven't cried for 20 years....I did then.
There will be many kind words from almost the entire aviation community.The world is a colder place for his parting, but those of us who were privileged to know him will always have a glow inside at the mention of his name.
Mel, so many words of condolence will be said in the days to come but my thoughts are only for you now, it's a bastard to be left behind so try and be strong darling you will always have the biggest "glow" of all of us.......
Jez.
Join Date: Jan 2000
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Well Glen, having worked for you for two years I thought I should contribute my bit to this thread but now find myself absolutely lost for words.
If you were watching me last night you'll know I took a drink (and the rest) to you. Hope others will do the same.
Cheers.
Paul
If you were watching me last night you'll know I took a drink (and the rest) to you. Hope others will do the same.
Cheers.
Paul
Join Date: Jun 2001
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RIP Glen
I too have had the pleasure of working with Glen and I also did
my IMC rating with him.
An excellent pilot and instructor and a great loss to the world
of aviation.
I too monitored the news and feared it may have been him
who had died in this tragic accident
I cannot say how sorry I am to have my fears confirmed and
may I send my condolences to all his family......
RIP Glen
my IMC rating with him.
An excellent pilot and instructor and a great loss to the world
of aviation.
I too monitored the news and feared it may have been him
who had died in this tragic accident
I cannot say how sorry I am to have my fears confirmed and
may I send my condolences to all his family......
RIP Glen
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Absolutely devastating.
I can still hear Glen's voice helping me whenever I fly an aeroplane, "more rudder please, it's not a footstool"
You never forget guys like him and his humour, referring to the windsock as a "VOR" (Visible Orange Rag).
My sincere condolences to you Mel and everyone affected, he was special,
Geoff D
I can still hear Glen's voice helping me whenever I fly an aeroplane, "more rudder please, it's not a footstool"
You never forget guys like him and his humour, referring to the windsock as a "VOR" (Visible Orange Rag).
My sincere condolences to you Mel and everyone affected, he was special,
Geoff D
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I have tears rolling down my face as I write this. I'm at a loss as to what to say - the tears say it all.
It was my privelege to have worked with and for Glen in the past; his enthusiasm and humour were truly infectous, general aviation has become a duller place without him.
My sincere condolences to Mel and also the family of his student.
God bless,
Phil, Kit, Thomas and James
It was my privelege to have worked with and for Glen in the past; his enthusiasm and humour were truly infectous, general aviation has become a duller place without him.
My sincere condolences to Mel and also the family of his student.
God bless,
Phil, Kit, Thomas and James
Awesome but Affordable
Really sorry to learn of this tragic accident. My deepest condolences to the families. Glen was one of those unforgetteble characters in aviation and when I bought a 152 through him from Holland back in the 1970's his dealing skills got me the right aeroplane at the right price. We met but occasionally however when we did it was always a pleasure. His students will never forget his skills and we are all the poorer for his passing.
Trapper 69
Trapper 69
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What a tragic loss to general aviation!
Glen taught me to fly and I later worked for him at Soloflight. He was an inspired instructor who not only made flying seem so easy but also made it great fun for everyone who flew with him.
My condolences to Mel, the rest of the staff at Soloflight and of course the friends and family of Mr Macfarlane.
Glen taught me to fly and I later worked for him at Soloflight. He was an inspired instructor who not only made flying seem so easy but also made it great fun for everyone who flew with him.
My condolences to Mel, the rest of the staff at Soloflight and of course the friends and family of Mr Macfarlane.
Thread Starter
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The tributes that you have all paid to Glen, stand as a great tribute to the man and to the aviation community in general, the sensitivity, and heartfelt feelings expressed have no doubt helped Mel, Glen's loved ones, and all of us to share, cope and find hope from tragedy.
Speaking at length to Mel today, she is quite remarkable, and coping just as Glen would want her to, being strong and getting on with everything in a professional way.
The messages posted here, and the vast number of e mails have
given her strength and encouragement to be positive.Clearly many of his characteristics and happy memories will still be there for all of us to share with her as the years roll on.
So "Looking now to the future".....Mel feels that after a private family funeral, Glen would not want a 'Memorial Service'... but instead a 'Memorial Get Together' will be organised, with a sit down meal and the Band he so much enjoyed at his celebration party.....
Mel intends to carry on with 'Solo'as a tribute to Glen, and their efforts together over the years. Their web site will no doubt be used to communicate all relevant information.
Finally one final tribute to the great value of this web site, which has enabled so many people to be put in contact with one another at this critical time..
So Just For Glen....
Speaking at length to Mel today, she is quite remarkable, and coping just as Glen would want her to, being strong and getting on with everything in a professional way.
The messages posted here, and the vast number of e mails have
given her strength and encouragement to be positive.Clearly many of his characteristics and happy memories will still be there for all of us to share with her as the years roll on.
So "Looking now to the future".....Mel feels that after a private family funeral, Glen would not want a 'Memorial Service'... but instead a 'Memorial Get Together' will be organised, with a sit down meal and the Band he so much enjoyed at his celebration party.....
Mel intends to carry on with 'Solo'as a tribute to Glen, and their efforts together over the years. Their web site will no doubt be used to communicate all relevant information.
Finally one final tribute to the great value of this web site, which has enabled so many people to be put in contact with one another at this critical time..
So Just For Glen....
Join Date: Mar 2004
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Just heard the news. I was Glen's ground eng for many years. I'm deeply shocked, stunned and feel we've lost one of aviations greats. Mel, if you're reading this, be strong love. If anyone can pass on my condolences to Mel, I'd be very grateful. This is my first time posting here and I've probably posted in the wrong place!! What can I say......Dearly loved - Sadly missed.
Join Date: Sep 2001
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It has taken me days to pluck up the courage to write this and I do so now through tears. It’s true you don’t know how much you’ll miss someone until they’ve gone.
My deepest sympathy goes out to the families of both men.
As a very young man I started working for both Frank and Glen and had a huge amount of admiration for these 2 great men. When the split came I stayed with Glen, I thought it would be more fun and it certainly was! You all know the kind of things, be it in the air, on the ground or on the town.
To me Glen was my boss who quickly became my friend and on occasion, when I needed it most, a farther figure. I still have the knife he gave me on my birthday many years ago.
Perhaps, now he will once again be able to fly with his son Lincoln, no doubt in very close formation.
Mark
My deepest sympathy goes out to the families of both men.
As a very young man I started working for both Frank and Glen and had a huge amount of admiration for these 2 great men. When the split came I stayed with Glen, I thought it would be more fun and it certainly was! You all know the kind of things, be it in the air, on the ground or on the town.
To me Glen was my boss who quickly became my friend and on occasion, when I needed it most, a farther figure. I still have the knife he gave me on my birthday many years ago.
Perhaps, now he will once again be able to fly with his son Lincoln, no doubt in very close formation.
Mark
Encountered Glen on the London-Sydney race - he was well-known to my fellow crew. Glen had a wicked twinkle and struck me as the instructor-made-in-heaven. Enjoy it, Glen, and I am sure you will continue to enrich the lives of aviators.
Skua
Skua
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glen
I always wanted to be a pilot since I can remember and when I was 13 I was given a flying gift card to fly for an hour with glen. It was the best hour of my life. I was so nervous but Glen being how he was but me at ease and made flying seem easy and so fun and my dream of being a pilot soon became a reality! I flew solo on my 16th birthday got my PPL shortly after my 17th. Without glen and Mel I dont know if I would be where I am now. Glen always encouraged me when I needed it most and best of all I knew he believed I could do it.
I went flying yesterday, I thought I would feel empty and struggle but I was fine, because Glen can watch over us now.
Glen has been a huge part of my aviation life as of yet and everything he has taught me I value. For all of those people Glen taught and knew he will live on through our hearts and through our flying ("two reds, two whites....)
AF
I went flying yesterday, I thought I would feel empty and struggle but I was fine, because Glen can watch over us now.
Glen has been a huge part of my aviation life as of yet and everything he has taught me I value. For all of those people Glen taught and knew he will live on through our hearts and through our flying ("two reds, two whites....)
AF
Join Date: Mar 2004
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tribute to glen
As Glens sister, I was sitting today looking over the Solwat Firth recalling the excitement on board when we launched Soloflight, remembering all those wonderful people from the early years, you know who you are, the fun we had, the adventures, the places he took us to, truly magical times with a magical brother who actually could make poeples dreams come true, lots of love Big Bro.
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A message to all on the forum from Glenn's daughters:
We feel truly overwhelmed, Glen is our dad, and we just wanted to thank everyone for their kind wishes, especially those of you who also remembered our brother Lincoln, dad and he were very close, and are now again. All those who knew dad know that flying was his life, and my sister and I know he died where he was happiest.Men like him don't come along very often and we are privileged to have been his children.
Thankyou once again, it means alot to nicky and I to know how many people respected and loved our dad. Our thoughts and wishes go out to the family of Peter McNeil, who also died in the accident,
Natalie and Nicola Stewart
We feel truly overwhelmed, Glen is our dad, and we just wanted to thank everyone for their kind wishes, especially those of you who also remembered our brother Lincoln, dad and he were very close, and are now again. All those who knew dad know that flying was his life, and my sister and I know he died where he was happiest.Men like him don't come along very often and we are privileged to have been his children.
Thankyou once again, it means alot to nicky and I to know how many people respected and loved our dad. Our thoughts and wishes go out to the family of Peter McNeil, who also died in the accident,
Natalie and Nicola Stewart
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Mel has asked me to let everyone know that Soloflight now have a message board that doesn’t require registration so it may be easier for some to post a message a message there.
You can get to it Here
You can get to it Here