Terribly sad news.

RIP Wiz.:sad:

:(WIZ, wow. RIP I dont know what to say, Our history was long and colourful, thanks for being the dude that you were and my heart is with your wife and kids.

VT

PerthNow has a picture of the aircraft for interest's sake.

http://resources0.news.com.au/images...8-planebig.jpg

To most people, the sky is the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home.

Here it is in the early/mid 90's when I flew it.

http://www.billzilla.org/guasopa.jpg

That's at Guasopa.

Are you sure that is Guasopa? Must have changed a lot since I was there, and grown some pretty serious terrain.

RIP mate, you certainly were a huge character, one of a kind and we'll miss you and your humour. Gutted.
:(

Not the Guasopa I know either.

I'm going to be quick to say this;

To those who contribute to this thread; please keep it in mind that Wiz is a personal friend to a lot of people here and that respect is of the utmost importance.
Please tread lightly and perhaps p!ss off with your theory's - if you are tempted.
I know I speak for others too.

Thank you

Amanda

One of the good guys, now gone... :sad: His poor family.

Nice sentiments Amanda and I agree whole heartedly......but you and I know its not gunna stop the inevitable....

Edit: I understand the co-pilot survived after being somehow thrown clear during the crash!

TB

Airline boss killed in PNG crash: reports
By PNG correspondent Liam Fox

Updated 44 minutes ago

Three Australians and two New Zealanders were on board the small Trans Air jet when it crashed on Misima Island yesterday.

Locals say the Trans Air flight overshot the runway in wet and windy weather, crashed into trees and burst into flames killing four of those on board.

News agency AAP is reporting that Les Wright, a part-owner of Trans Air, died in the crash.

Mr Wright was the co-owner and chief pilot of the similarly named airline Transair which was involved in a plane crash that killed 15 people in far north Queensland in 2005.

Medivac company International SOS says one of its staff was killed in this week's crash but declined to provide further details.

Already identified among the victims is 61-year-old Sydney man Chris Hart, who was working for Australian Reef Pilots.

One of the New Zealanders, an Australian permanent resident who is believed to be one of the pilots, survived the accident with only heavy bruising.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says consular officials will remain in Papua New Guinea until the bodies of the three Australians are brought home.

"We have three Australian officials on the ground - they'll remain on the ground until such time as the injured New Zealand citizen who survived the crash has been transported back to Port Moresby and the bodies of the three Australians have been repatriated," he said.

Mr Smith says the deceased men were from New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia and their families have been notified.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has expressed her sympathy to the men's families.

"Can I offer my condolences to the families of the three Australians that would be grieving the loss of a loved one today," she said.

"Can I also offer our condolences to the New Zealand family that has lost a loved one, and can I wish a speedy recovery and a return to good health to the New Zealand citizen/Australian resident who has been injured."

The crash is the third fatal plane crash in Papua New Guinea in just over a year.

Six people died in a light plane crash in January, while nine Australians were among 13 killed when a plane crashed into a mountain near Kokoda in August last year.

I've known Sir Les for 25 years. He was a true aviation character who trained & gave a start to dozens of fine pilots and will be missed by many.

RIP and tailwinds forever..

Can whoever finds out the places and times of the services for all the deceased please post them here. I'll certainly be going to pay my respects, I owe plenty.

Wiz will miss the SMS and texts and the humour

A True Gentleman
 

I also have known Les for many years (around 25) and I have always had the utmost respect and admiration for his continued support of young pilots in this country.

Always willing to give someone a go.

Many successful aviation careers have been fostered through the support of this ture aviator, a real Australian character.

I remember him saying to a group of his pilots in the early nineties that if the company could not run like a family with everyone getting on and supporting each other, then he would rather shut it down.

RIP Mate, we will miss you, tailwinds for eternity and GODSPEED

Rick

Les you gave me a start and many others, R.I.P mate.

Lukim you Les...
 

Les you will be missed. You gave so much to so many young guys in GA. Thank you...what more can I say. A sad...sad day. Good bye Sir Les...Lukim you wontok.

Here here Chewi

Still havent processed it, but Les mate, thanks for trusting in us, and giving us the opportunity to realise our dreams. Some of the best times of my career at FL180. I have travelled the world and flown the big shiny ones thanks to the start you gave me.

Yes the Nose wheel Steering's on mate


Smithy

Truly tragic news.
Friend for many years - you will not be forgotten.
:{