Galaxy Flying School memories at Essendon.
Sad to hear that Laurie passed away. Many hours flown in ECY back in the good old days. Remember hearing a funny story about Laurie doing a VMCA demo with a student in the 55 Baron he also once had and they somehow ended up upside down.
Anyone know if Alan Watson is still alive? Ex Ansett 727 skipper and excellent theory instructor.
Anyone know if Alan Watson is still alive? Ex Ansett 727 skipper and excellent theory instructor.
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Dear, oh, dear .. a few memories come back with the last few posts. Haven't seen Big Al for a few years, now, but I guess he is still with us. I'd hazard a guess that he would be around 80 ? Lovely bloke, he was a bit senior to me at AN and I flew with him a few times .. actually, we did our F27 endorsements together, as I recall, he as an initial command and me as an intake FO.
Alan certainly knew his stuff as a theory instructor, got me and many others through the CPL theory exams, some of whom I’m sure are also good commentators on this forum like myself.
I still remember some of Alan’s war stories, certainly a great era to fly in, albeit tough - very unlike these touchy feely and watch your language days.
I still remember some of Alan’s war stories, certainly a great era to fly in, albeit tough - very unlike these touchy feely and watch your language days.
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very unlike these touchy feely and watch your language days.
Indeed, a top bloke was our Big Al. I had a lot of time for him. He took early retirement from AN with a golden handshake and then regretted it later but that's the way of life, I guess - you make your calls and wear the outcomes.
Indeed, a top bloke was our Big Al. I had a lot of time for him. He took early retirement from AN with a golden handshake and then regretted it later but that's the way of life, I guess - you make your calls and wear the outcomes.
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this thread is very old now - I have heard Laurie Peppard has passed away. His 150s were DIM and KXI. I think SIDS got them both.
His old Apache ECY has also gone to god I believe. He sold that around 2004 for $50 grand I remember him telling me.
Laurie moved back to the old ANZ bank building in about 2002 or so next to Galaxy which was closed by then. Laurie had about 5 or 6 planes
at the height of his business, all parked along the road just past where the roundabout is now when you come off the freeway. He let ECY go
then WXZ and just flew the 150s for the last few years.
His old Apache ECY has also gone to god I believe. He sold that around 2004 for $50 grand I remember him telling me.
Laurie moved back to the old ANZ bank building in about 2002 or so next to Galaxy which was closed by then. Laurie had about 5 or 6 planes
at the height of his business, all parked along the road just past where the roundabout is now when you come off the freeway. He let ECY go
then WXZ and just flew the 150s for the last few years.
Laurie had a V12 E type Jag, lovely car,must have cost a packet to run though.
I spent a couple of years there,then went to Discover Flying,did my instrument rating with Wes Guy aviation,Doug Stott did my training, anyone know if Doug or Maurice is still with us ?
I do remember flying KXI one day on a training flt to Bacchus Marsh,took off to the north,climbed over the top of tulla airport,turned west into a howling westerly and promptly went nowhere !! I think my gs was about 10 kts,I had to give it away and go back to Essendon.
From memory he had a victa,a Fuji and later on KXI and the apache.
I think he was a keen Marlin fisherman,used to charter a boat out of Cairns.
I visited Moorabbin airport the other day,had a meal at the aero club,I see they have named the bar after John Lindsay,he was a gentleman,I well remember doing an instrument renewal with John down at Cowes I think doing the ndb app, I took along a playboy magazine to keep him entertained !
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I spent a couple of years there,then went to Discover Flying,did my instrument rating with Wes Guy aviation,Doug Stott did my training, anyone know if Doug or Maurice is still with us ?
They were great times when you knew almost everyone on the airfield. Anyone recall what happened to Doug Williams or John South at Execs?
Don't know about Maurice, but Doug is retired on the Sunny Coast - had an Airtourer for a long time. Flew out of Darwin and Mildura on Shorts 330/360 and Dash8.
They were great times when you knew almost everyone on the airfield. Anyone recall what happened to Doug Williams or John South at Execs?
They were great times when you knew almost everyone on the airfield. Anyone recall what happened to Doug Williams or John South at Execs?
John South went on to fly the 690 VH-EXT and later the HS125 for Coles-Myer, Shell or ANZ (can’t remember which) Last heard of recently living down Mornington Peninsula way.
