Vale Ben Buckley
 

Aviation Legend and permanent thorn in the side of CASA dictators, Ben Buckley, passed away last night.
A great bloke, and did a lot for back country aviation.

Sad news indeed. He had a hundred lives in his lifetime, you’d never have thought Covid would have got him.

Total legend, will be sorely missed in the High Country.

His 'air displays' at the annual Hotham Easter gathering at Dinner Plain airstrip, the first flight under the Westgate Bridge, non-stop ultralight across the Tasman, etc etc.

Blue Skies, Ben 😢

Vale Ben, I would say give those CASA blokes hell when you see them, but they will be residing in another place of the same name.

A skydiving friend who I also used to fly to/from work, Bob Stevens, wrote a book of Ben's exploits "Buckley's Chance", a good read.

There were a couple of stories I read about him, filled the hopper of his ag plane with water and dumped it on the local footy team when they were training after a poor weekend showing?

And running the landing gear along the corrugated roof of his local on his way home from work?

What a character!

Tailwinds

RIP Ben. A proper aviation legend. As humble and self effacing as any you could wish to meet. Worthy of total respect.

Our paths crossed during some memorable overnights in Benambra in the late 70’s and also at random airports in Victoria. His exploits were truly jaw dropping.

I’m truly saddened to hear of his passing.

Was Ben still living in Benambra? Or had he retired elsewhere?

An extremely capable local Councillor of many years standing.
https://www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au...ire-councillor

According to the Bairnsdale Advertiser, Ben passed away peacefully in his sleep.

https://www.bairnsdaleadvertiser.com...n-buckley-gone

No mention of Covid.

Absolute shame, Rest In peace.

As I said, he was suffering from Covid.

This will help to verify all of the stories you've heard over the years about Ben...

Thanks for sharing. An amazing aviator.

Flying under bridges. One yarn was CASA had Ben up before the beak for flying under a bridge. Couldn't have been done says Ben, the distance between the pilings is less than the aircrafts wingspan. Case dismissed. What was not revealed was that he had side slipped through. So the story went. Another CASA migraine was Ben broke a leg by landing in a rabbit burrow on a parachute jump, that was OK, but he then did a medevac to Essendon in a Cessna with his leg in plaster, which upset CASA. Buy his book is my recommendation, would love to be at his funeral to hear the stories come forth, a Prince among men.

Some more on Ben.... RIP

https://www.rmwilliams.com.au/outbac...tml?lang=en_AU

Amazing thing about Ben was him and both ex wifes appeared to be on good terms

Ben was an absolute legend and a great guy, had some incredible experiences with him in the early 70's. Sadly missed. RIP Ben

Today’s Sunday Herald Sun has a great article on Ben and his flying exploits, both in Australia and overseas.

Let’s not forget the story of the touch and go on the oil rig and the bridge down Gippsland way.

Hear some of the stories for yourself from the broadcast of his funeral. Well worth the watch if you'd like a laugh about what Ben used to get up to.

Thanks for the link…..