Sqn Ldr (Retd.) Eric Steenson
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Sqn Ldr (Retd.) Eric Steenson
I'm posting this for those that knew him: Unfortunate news came in earlier that Sqn Ldr Steenson has passed away from a heart attack. He was a former Red Arrows team manager.
Blue skies.
Blue skies.
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Sad news. I first met him in 1970 when he was going through the Lightning OCU at Coltishall and I was a visiting UAS cadet. Met him again very recently at the CAE LGW Airbus simulator. RIP.
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Indeed - very sad.
I knew him from our joining day in 1966 and worked with him at CAE LGW to the end. I guess he was around 67 - a good mate far too young to move on.
RIP Eric
mcdhu
I knew him from our joining day in 1966 and worked with him at CAE LGW to the end. I guess he was around 67 - a good mate far too young to move on.
RIP Eric
mcdhu
Gentleman Aviator
Sad indeed - did some Reds support flying when he was mange, and was on a totally barking Public Relations course with him - always got on well. About my age too.......
RIP m8.
RIP m8.
Sqd.Ldr (Rtd) Eric Steenson
First met Eric when he was flying the Cranfield own-design aeros aircraft in 1972.
Got to know him well when he joined bmi. Thoroughly good mate which continued after his airline retirement.
As suggested by Yellow Sun, he never appeared to be a candidate for a coronary and in fact always looked the healthiest of all of us.
**** happens.
Blue skies and fair winds., old son.
Got to know him well when he joined bmi. Thoroughly good mate which continued after his airline retirement.
As suggested by Yellow Sun, he never appeared to be a candidate for a coronary and in fact always looked the healthiest of all of us.
**** happens.
Blue skies and fair winds., old son.
Last edited by Sleeve Wing; 28th Aug 2015 at 21:40. Reason: Wrong date for very first meeting at Leicester Air Day
I first met Eric when he was a QFI at London UAS at Abingdon and I was holding there. I then used to meet him around the display circuit when he was Red 10 and then flying the A1. A larger than life character who once met was never forgotten. A sad loss. RIP
Sad news indeed! Went through Valley and the Lightning OCU with Eric and bumped into him many times whilst we were on Lightnings! Will raise a glass tonight old friend! Newt
He was my instructor on low-level JPs at Finningley in '82. There was a night-stop as part of the course and we went to Edinburgh. Rather than hit the town he recommended hanging around the terminal on the off-chance of meeting hosties.
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He was due to fly his Cub across to the ex-British Midland fly-in the following morning (yesterday). His absence was keenly felt and a great many glasses were raised to him last night. The Hosties will be running scared in Heaven 
Cheers Eric. It was great flying with you.
Cheers Eric. It was great flying with you.
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Ye Gods .. another good one taken early.
Knew him in primary training [after his Lighting experience] as an excellen, demanding QFI and crossed paths numerous times over the years. He was great mates with Henry Ploszek at Abingdon [when Bruce Donnelly was also a QFI on London UAS] and strangely they both went managing for RAFAT
He led a charmed life and was charming to go with it.
Ad astra mate. Life like a good trip: short but intense
Knew him in primary training [after his Lighting experience] as an excellen, demanding QFI and crossed paths numerous times over the years. He was great mates with Henry Ploszek at Abingdon [when Bruce Donnelly was also a QFI on London UAS] and strangely they both went managing for RAFAT
He led a charmed life and was charming to go with it.
Ad astra mate. Life like a good trip: short but intense
I add my condolences to the loss of a man, and pilot, I will never forget. As a member of ground crew on University Engineering Flight, Abingdon, I was fortunate in enjoying more than one flight with the then Flt Lt Steenson. The most memorable was a low level trip that had me looking up during a rather steep turn to see a Jaguar cross above. Thanks for the flying experience sir, I'm sure I'm not the only ground crew that have fond reminiscences. Respects to family members.
Smudge
Smudge
Another great loss, far before his time! i knew him on the V-force and later. An excellent pilot and a great character, now to be sadly missed by many!
Bill.
Bill.
ERIC STEENSON
I first met Eric when I arrived at London UAS as a QFI in late 1976. We shared an office there for a while and many good times together in London and at Abingdon, for the next three years. He was always one to attempt to lead others astray in the nicest possible way. We always assumed that his love for aeros and formnation flying was because he was born upside-down and so it was no surprise that after he left ULAS he went to be the Reds Manager. I did hear that he'd joined bmi after leaving the RAF but we had lost contact with each other by then.
For any relatives reading this I send my sympathies and condolences.
RIP Eric
Last edited by Jetset 88; 31st Aug 2015 at 12:55. Reason: word check
