Vale - Peter Patroni AM
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Vale - Peter Patroni AM
It is with great sadness that our good mate and strong supporter of GA has left us for the big sky and white clouds. He was a life member of AOPA, President for many years thru the ‘80’s and a practicing fixed and rotary wing pilot. His sense of humour and ability to get under the skin of the Dept of many names will not be forgotten. Our condolences to Bev and family.
regards
regards
Peter was one of the first names I knew in aviation "politics" in the 1990s, back in the days of enormous AOPA membership (and a less fractured GA industry).
Vale Peter.
Vale Peter.
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Yes, Peter was a very strong crusader for aviation and GA in particular during his term as AOPA President from 1982 to 1995 back in the days when they had over 10,000 members.
He was a great bloke and mate and had a sense of humour that kept us all on guard as sometimes you did not see the joke till it was history! One of his historic letters was written in regard to the introduction of the Y codes for locations indicators (YMML in place of AMML etc). Every word in the letter started with a "Y" - it was just so good and to the point, especially when the change was conducted without any discussion or consultation with industry (what has changed?) One of his famous editorials in the magazine has been published on the AOPA web site and it is worth quoting just part of it from December 1992 (maybe some things don't change?):
And it goes on....
RIP Peter, you are a legend and will not be forgotten !
He was a great bloke and mate and had a sense of humour that kept us all on guard as sometimes you did not see the joke till it was history! One of his historic letters was written in regard to the introduction of the Y codes for locations indicators (YMML in place of AMML etc). Every word in the letter started with a "Y" - it was just so good and to the point, especially when the change was conducted without any discussion or consultation with industry (what has changed?) One of his famous editorials in the magazine has been published on the AOPA web site and it is worth quoting just part of it from December 1992 (maybe some things don't change?):
AVIATION-
NO LONGER RIVETED, JUST SCREWED
No longer the "lucky country", we are to be the clever country"... or so the Government would have us believe. Unfortunately in aviation a more correct description would be "dumb".When it comes to aviation matters, Australians are decidedly dumb. We are dumb because we do not speak out when the "clever Government" decides to rip off millions of dollars from our industry. We are dumb because we let the Government get away with it without so much as a murmur.
NO LONGER RIVETED, JUST SCREWED
No longer the "lucky country", we are to be the clever country"... or so the Government would have us believe. Unfortunately in aviation a more correct description would be "dumb".When it comes to aviation matters, Australians are decidedly dumb. We are dumb because we do not speak out when the "clever Government" decides to rip off millions of dollars from our industry. We are dumb because we let the Government get away with it without so much as a murmur.
RIP Peter, you are a legend and will not be forgotten !
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Vary sad to hear of Peter’s passing and condolences to his family. Peter was a great supporter of GA as President of AOPA and did a great service to build its membership. Sadly in the 90’s he was undermined in my opinion by a few self-serving individuals that installed a prominent aviation identity at AOPA’s helm. This resulted in a loss of credibility and membership that has taken years to rebuild.
RIP Peter and thank you for your friendship through some difficult times
RIP Peter and thank you for your friendship through some difficult times
