Fatal Plane Crash near Bourke 29th April 2012
 

Sadly from abc web site



Man killed in plane crash near Bourke

Posted April 29, 2012 14:54:39

A man has died in a plane crash in far west New South Wales.
Emergency services were called to property, around 60 kilometres north-west of Bourke, just after 8:00am.
Police say the man, who is yet to be formally identified, was the only person in the plane.
The Transport Safety Bureau has been notified of the crash and investigations are continuing.

RIP
R W

C 150 VH-UWR Mustering cattle ? Well known Grazier

Crash on "Gurrawarra" property,60 kms NORTH EAST of Bourke.

Goodness knows why these multi-million dollar cattle Barons and similar tempt fate on a near daily basis doing these types of things when a potentially more qualified and experienced 18-25 yr old will do it for nothing.

I'd assume you are joking right? Most of these blokes have been doing it for years and years. Thats how they got to be where they are. Sometimes things go wrong, and when it does, you can only pray for a good outcome. Sadly, today was not one of those days.

Not a joke, no.

Pilots fly aircraft.
Farmers should farm.

If flying is not your "thing" then leave it for someone else. Why put yourself at risk chasing around cattle when your time, skills and effort could be better spent elsewhere?

Likewise, would you as a pilot jump into a cattle yard and brand cattle?

The farmers I knew growing up were also mechanics, veterinarians, pest controllers, engineers, accountants and business men. That was just to farm sugar cane. I would have thought mustering cattle, whatever method chosen to use, was fairly central to the role of being a grazier.

Being a professional pilot really isn't all that hard and other skills only add to the equation.Im sure as hell qualified to do a lot of other things and I do. Should I only fly because its my thing.

I know nothing of this situation or of the deceased, but Id bet my left nut, this bloke did it because he loved it, its what he'd always done, and would do over again given the opportunity. Just like the rest of us.

RIP

Yup, you betcha!

Dr :8

PS: .....but I would never muster cattle in a C150!

I seem to remember that a lot of Aussie farmers made bloody good pilots, when required during WW1 & WW2, before going back on the land.

I did BFRs for a few blokes in outback Queensland, all PPLs. Their employer had put each of them through a PPL and a low-level/mustering endorsement at some stage and they were all very good pilots.

They heaped scorn upon "Keeping up with the Jonses" and the mustering practices demonstrated in that program.

Ironically I have seen far more "cowboy" flying from townies (self included) than I have from cattlemen. :suspect:

To XXX

Firstly, what makes you assume farmers are "multi-million dollar cattle barons"?
Most farmers are out there working their bum off to feed the rest of the country and just trying to make a living like the rest of us.
If and I stress if, they do have millions it is most likely tied up in the asset which they need to grow said food. ie, their land which may have come down through the family and is of no real value if they wish to keep it so future generations can grow food on it.

Secondly, just because one is a farmer does not mean they are unable to fly well. The only reason they can run a successful business is by multi-tasking. And they also know their country better than anyone else.
Some of these blokes have 1000+ hrs doing this sort of stuff.

A generalisation such as yours would be as far from the truth, as someone who just assumes all pilots get paid $200,000 a year.

Personally, I believe farmers, truck drivers etc and folks from the country make great pilots.

Yep gotta agree, the best I ever taught were the hands on types ( Farmers, Truckies, Tradies etc ) the blokes with all the money and no skills were usually Doctors and Lawyers!!! Hence all the ASR's submitted by rich Docs flying their brand spanking new Twin over 8/8 and getting lost, not once but 3 times!!

AS someone who knew and and had a long association with this pilot both in aviation and public life I would like to add the following facts to those who didn't know him

He was an experienced bush pilot of 30 plus years and definitely no cowboy
He was taught by George Campbell in Mudgee in the 70's a place where a lot of excellent pilots were trained both bush & professional
He loved his flying as much as he loved the bush and used his aircraft as the station vehicle and management tool that bush folk will understand

His passing is a huge loss not only to his family but to the community

The rest I will leave to the ATSB

RIP Wayne
and the rest of you take care

205jack I'm glad you said something before I did my reply wouldnt have been as nice. I grew up in Bourke and knew Wayne well.

...I'm sure you're not saying a pilot can't be both at the same time! ;)

Are you proposing a demarcation dispute, Comrade VH-XXX? Should we give the capitalists 24 hours to think about it? Righto boys, one out all out. Someone call Lawrie Cox and let him know. :rolleyes:

It was a comment, that is all. No offence intended because we all had no idea at the time who was involved. Many a cattle baron have suffered the same unfortunate fate.

Horatio

Slip of the pen

Bush guys were generally private in those days though as myself not always and proffessional was commercial or higher but as you say can be either,either or both

205Jack

A general point.
Juggling a lot of numerous jobs in any one day and being able to clear ones mind to concentrate 100% on flying is not easy task to get right every hour of every day.
Whatever the outcome of this incident, there is a point, that because flying is so unforgiving, less that 100% of mind on the task or less that 100% correct preflight preparation should be avoided.


Mickjoebill

"Many a cattle baron have suffered the same unfortunate fate."
Well I don't know to many and have quite a few years in the industry and mostly remote area flying.
As others have said, I have found the practical hands on nature of men and women on the land makes them really good practical aviators. When a "Southerner" or "City" pilot finds themselves lost or have gone missing in the bush the first person to ask for advice or help on local conditions and likely effective SAR are the local "cockies" and bush pilots, RFDS or otherwise regardless of their level of license. Sandy Kidd from the Windorah Q area being one prime example and over many years.