Fred Valentich
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Fred Valentich
Yesterday marked 30th years since Fred Valentich went missing on a flight from YMMB in a Cessna C182 to pickup crayfish from King Island.
It certainly did - good old DSJ I believe...
My bro's more into the sci-fi / UFO theorist's side of the whole thing - it was news enough for Leonard Nimoy (Dr Spock) and the team of that old show "In Search Of..." to do a story on, in any case...
Many PPruners out there read the ATC transcripts from the night?
Guess most just judge it as disorientation. Who really knows the real story huh? Maybe Fred's old man....
BR
My bro's more into the sci-fi / UFO theorist's side of the whole thing - it was news enough for Leonard Nimoy (Dr Spock) and the team of that old show "In Search Of..." to do a story on, in any case...
Many PPruners out there read the ATC transcripts from the night?
Guess most just judge it as disorientation. Who really knows the real story huh? Maybe Fred's old man....
BR
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Although it was a little before my time in aviation, I remember quite clearly that Mr. Valentich's story was quite prominent in the media at the time, and for quite a while.
Live long and prosper?
Live long and prosper?
I was a pilot with Ausralian Air Charterers back then and was rostered to look for Fred in a Chieftain, VH-MBT. Spent about 6 hrs grinding up and down over the entire flight path with 8 CASA or DOT (whatever they called themselves then) people staring out the windows. Not a thing, not an oil slick, nothing, very strange. I remember a similar mission looking for Dr Ian Tippet missing in a PN68 off Wilsons Prom, found seat backings, oil etc almost straight away, but Fred, nothing. However a hazy sort of day and I still think it was a case of the 'Leans', followed by a loss of control. As for the lights above his head, it must remain a mystery.
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I recall there were sightings of unidentified objects in the sky at the time of Fred's disappearance from people viewing the sunset in the Frankston-Rosebud area. Later that year in December, there were also reports of lights in the sky in New Zealand which was captured on film by an Australian journalist. MOre info about that here.
The New Zealand UFO / Airplane Encounter of December, 1978-UFO Casebook Files
The New Zealand UFO / Airplane Encounter of December, 1978-UFO Casebook Files
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Having flown that same route in the distant past I can add that the tidal flows through those waters can be something fierce, especially close to the island. It did not surprise me that nothing was found and that had nothing to do with UFOs'.
Last edited by PLovett; 23rd Oct 2008 at 05:20.
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i just googled his name, and all they come up with is UFO stuff.
is there just a normal civil explanation about what he was talking about in the transcripts? or has the press or the UFO lovers just made the whole story up from start to finish?
is there just a normal civil explanation about what he was talking about in the transcripts? or has the press or the UFO lovers just made the whole story up from start to finish?
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Hey derek. That wouldnt be Mr Bell would it?
Krusty what 172D? My mate owns one.
Very interesting this case. I believe there is somewhat of a UFO "expert" at moorabbin these days. Does he have any theroy about mr valentich?
Krusty what 172D? My mate owns one.
Very interesting this case. I believe there is somewhat of a UFO "expert" at moorabbin these days. Does he have any theroy about mr valentich?
Thread Starter
Had the pleasure of meeting Brian Jones who was the OIC of King Island Flight Service when Fred went missing. One point that Brian brought up was that in those days King Island had no PAL system and the lights and the FSO had to activate the lights or arrangements had to be made to leave them on overnight, and no arrangements were in place for this arrival of this flight.
If you are out their in Pprune land BJ always enjoyed a cup of coffee and a chat in the old FSU building while watching the rain p#ss down and wind blow like it does on King Island.
I believe there are number of tapes from that night doing the rounds, occasionally surface on the odd ATC training course or old SAR course.
If you are out their in Pprune land BJ always enjoyed a cup of coffee and a chat in the old FSU building while watching the rain p#ss down and wind blow like it does on King Island.
I believe there are number of tapes from that night doing the rounds, occasionally surface on the odd ATC training course or old SAR course.
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Fro a rusty memory, but, ATC didn't have the C18 on radar when he disappeared, yet, all the search aircraft were observed the next morning searching. Maybe it was a case of the leans well away from where he should have been.
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"Mr Milk" I believe (but could be very wrong here) Mr Bell yr refering to took his own life by way of flying out into the wild blue yonder (Ocean) & proceeded to disappear, personal probs I think. We could however be talking about two diff people.
"S8" I flew into KII just recently & boy is that place dark at night esspecially when it's cloud covered (99% time probably) If Fred was planning to land there then you raise valid points as to why he (Fred) had not apparently organised for the lights to be activated, interesting that one.
CW
"S8" I flew into KII just recently & boy is that place dark at night esspecially when it's cloud covered (99% time probably) If Fred was planning to land there then you raise valid points as to why he (Fred) had not apparently organised for the lights to be activated, interesting that one.
CW
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Capt Wally, whats you being doing down at King Island?
That place on a dark sh#tty night is blacker than a black mans bum, to be politically incorrect.
To bad one of your former chief pilots regarded it as a well lit place and therefore didn't count as remote time for employment purposes, for your organisation.
Likewise I use to curse one Mr Richard Smith everytime I went their at night time after he pulled the pin on the good old Australian DME and when we had no GPS in the mighty PA-31.
Perhaps Fred went with Harold Holt in the Russian submarine to meet the KGB in Moscow!
That place on a dark sh#tty night is blacker than a black mans bum, to be politically incorrect.
To bad one of your former chief pilots regarded it as a well lit place and therefore didn't count as remote time for employment purposes, for your organisation.
Likewise I use to curse one Mr Richard Smith everytime I went their at night time after he pulled the pin on the good old Australian DME and when we had no GPS in the mighty PA-31.
Perhaps Fred went with Harold Holt in the Russian submarine to meet the KGB in Moscow!