Condolence Book
 

For those who cannot attend the service on friday, there is a condolence book on the front desk of the Darwin Flying School that will be available for a few weeks, after which it will be passed on to Dales family.

With thanks to the journos' and editorial staff, NT NEWS, Friday 27th January, 2007.
http://http://ntnews.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,17952517%255E13569,00.html

Let us not forget...
 

OK

So we gave Dale a great send-off this morning; even those PPRuNers got a mention in a discussion with Dale's Father after the service.

...but once the dust has settled let us all:

-Think about Rachel and the kids once the 'crowds' have departed YPDN

-Contribute to the fund...

-Keep safe and look after one another! As somebody said during the service this morning....it is not (just) the checklist(s) that keep you guys safe...

and also, it was great to see so many 'old' acquaintances and students remembering the bloke that had imparted a truly remarkable skill...that of flight.

Great support out there...

Enuff raving for now...

Bye Dale, got your NT News photo in my logbook, found your old Massey wings (from under the seat of that borrowed Baron) and returned them to your wonderful wife....and shed a few more tears (quietly) on this Friday night after a few Coopers by an airfield somewhere (it's OK I don't have to fly tomorrow).

Bye-for-now my friend!:{

(It's just not fair!)

Here here, what a fantastic service and what a strong uplifting family!
Proud to have known you Dale!!

This Drinks for you!!! Cheers!:ok:

**Changes to Franke Family Fund**
 

Fellow Aviators,
Mr & Mrs Pistol along with the family of the young pilot who was tragically taken from us @ McArthur River, have been overwhelmed by all the support we have recieved from everyone, not just in the avaition community.
Those of us in NT would of seen the article in today's paper. The Westpac bank have advised us they can no longer handle an account which has attracted so much attention, and have advised us to open another account through a Non-profit organization (ie Salvation Army).
So we ask at this time that you hold on to your donations until the details of the new Fund are available. Funds and donations contributed so far will be used to open the new account.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience, but we believe this is the best way to reach the broader audience it has attracted. We will pass on the details of the new Fund ASAP.
Mr & Mrs Pistol

tHANX pISTOL.....could venture an opinion about Westpac but it's too late and we are all too emotional around this neck-o-the woods after today's proceedings.:*

After discussing the DF fund we thought that the TERRITORY INSURANCE OFFICE may be worth a go for a few reasons:
1. They have a finance arm and therefore are set-up to handle electronic transactions
2. At least two of their staff that I know of have flown with DF in the past
3. They are, in a manner of speaking, 'under seige' at the moment and might feel compelled to take the community benefit line (as they have in the past).

Worth a try as a collection agency ( leave Westapac to making money through their ATMs)

Good bye cobber......Sorry I couldnt make it to Darwin for a proper farewell.

Know that you were, and will always be loved by friends and family and will be remembered fondly.

Till we meet again.

"Tribute"
 

I was pleased to hear this song played at the service today. It is also a favourite of mine, but after today I will never listen to Tenacious D the same way ever again.

As for the Abby Dobson track, that was so fitting, yet so sad.

A huge thumbs up, thanks and hats off to the family for putting together a royal ceremony under what is undoubtedly the worst of times.

Once again my thoughts are with the Hardy's crew whose task and ordeal, along with the family's is arduous in the least. There is no way I could muster the strength to carry a fallen colleague like you guys did.

Farewell Dale.

:{

520.

Dale me old mate how very tragic, I have only just been passed the news and am devastated.

We began our careers paired up (thrown together) for our flight training and I can still remember how dedicated you were to your chosen passion. Early on you showed far more ability and dedication than I could ever muster and I could not have asked for more in a friend or flying buddy.

I suspected life is not fair and now I know it to be true.

To Rachael and the kids,

You and Dale were always meant to be together and to see Dale so happy when he was with you will be something I will never foreget.

Dale I have never spent so much time in a confined space as I have with you and I would be happy to do it all again, Palmerston gales and all!

I think it's the duty of all to see not only what we as individuals can contribute but also what our companies can do in whatever form.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend due distance but i can assure you that all around Australia people were having a quiet thought for old mate and his family.

I haven't a photo of him and wonder if its appropriate if someone could post the one from the paper or a personal one in good times on the forum. I think it would certainly help the cause for fund gathering.

Your call Womera and Ppruners.

I am Rachels father and on behalf of Rach and the boys, myself & my wife and Dales family, I would just like to thank you folk for your fantastic comments and the kind words that have been posted on this web site. We have all read it and our hearts and spirits have been warmed by your thoughts.

So again, thankyou for you kindness as it has certainly been of great comfort in our sad time.

My thanks goes to each and every one of you.

God bless and thankyou.

Peter

Golf Day
 

G'day All

To help with proceeds to the Franke Family Trust a fundrasing golf day has been organised. Darwin Golf Club have come to the party and offered free use of their venue for Saturday 11 February with a 16:00 start.

Entry will be $30 (9 holes) and club hire is available for $10. Prizes and raffles are being organised with any assistance in this area welcome. Tickets for the event MUST be prepurchased and numbers are limited. Drinks for the afternoon will be available through the DGC clubhouse which, considering their genorisity, I think we can all handle.

Any further details or to book a ticket I've set up an email:

[email protected]

just wondering if you would be open to giving me a private email or some other menas of contacting you at a later date. thank you .if not i respect your wishes.a pilot

Nice work matt i hear the tickets are selling like hot cakes!!
Fantastic bit of work! can't think of a better cause!!!

See you at the golf day!!!

Without wanting to distract from the fact that this is very much a condolence thread, has there been any official word on the likely cause of the accident yet?

Natural Curiosity
 

Victor two

No instant answer has come to light as yet. A bunch of experienced ATSB guys are getting paid much more than us to study all the facts and find an answer to this tragedy. I understand your curiosity for what happened, the answer may save you or i from the same outcome. If you've read the ATSB web site post and the NT news clippings then you know as much as anyone.

That ATSB link is:
http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/...200600256.aspx

Any more info about the trust account for Dale's family?????

We are looking at every avenue to make sure the Trust account has been set up correctly and will bring maximum benefit and relief to all concerned.

Unforunately this is taking some time but will let everyone know when (or if) the details of the existing fund change. But for the time being donations can be made to the existing Trustee Account via any westpac bank branch.

Sincere apologies for all the delays

Account Name: ATF THE FRANKE FAMILY
Account Number: 260665
BSB: 035306

Recovery mission
 

Well its the day after and with thick head and complaining liver I can report that all who attended the golf day had a great time. Thanks to everyone for their time and generosity on the day. With the raffle, entry fees and fines thousands of dollars have now been added to the Franke Family Trust. To those who missed out I do apologise but it had to run on a first in first served basis. Theres talk of more things to come so keep your ear to the ground and jump in early.

Thanks must be breifly mentioned to the sponsors who so willingly came to the party: (Moderators be nice and let this shameless bit of promotion ride:} )

- Airservices Australia
- Intercontinental Hotels Group
- Hardy Aviaition
- Discovery Nightclub
- Shenanigans Pub
- Ducks Nuts
- BCC Cinemas
- Marrara Hotel

Also a big thanks to the following people that helped out:
BK + the missus (Sponsors signs)
BJW + the missus (Drinks buggy)
AS (All the little things on the day)

And most importantly thanks to the 40 odd people that came out for a game of golf in memory of a good bloke and to help out his family. It is fantastic to see a great industry full of great people pulling together to do great things for our friends.

Blue skies and fair winds,

Matt81

Thanks for all your support folks, this thread must now be set free.:ok: