James Baxter fly high buddy.

[PoppaJo]

Recently a young gentlemen by the name of James Baxter, on one of my flights, waited until all passengers had disembarked and asked my team if he could stick his head in, take a photo and say gday. We chatted for a few minutes as he told us his story, moving away from his Brisbane family down to Sydney, working for one of the baggage handling companies saving for his CPL, after having passed his PPL. In his spare time he was a keen aviation photographer, uploading his content to all those aviation photo sites. Whilst a flight deck after many years seems just like a boring old car to many of us, seeing the smile and passion on this young man’s face as he scanned our cockpit, is what really makes my day.

I said to my FO as he left, the industry will be in good hands once all us old folks retire, with people like him around.

It was deeply saddening today to find out that this young gentleman was killed by another driver on our roads who had a excessive alcohol reading.

On behalf of the entire aviation community I would like to pass on our sincere condolences, and rest assured his name and passion for this industry won’t be forgotten.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...car-crash.html

[Kulwin Park]

RIP !!!! all of us look forward to the young & fun ones coming through. So sad.

[tossbag]

Lost for words........

RIP

[Zinfandel]

James was the king of nighttime photos and was always happy to give photograph tips to any new plane spotter.
Such a sad loss…RIP James

[Pinky the pilot]

Oh No!!

Life can be cruel sometimes......

RIP

[junior.VH-LFA]

A large canvas of one of his photos of a night arrival of mine hangs in my home. His passion for aviation was infectious - but he was also just a good kid.

Blue skies mate.