RIP Darren Ogletree
 

While not many people here will know the above pilot, he was an instructor at Ormond Beach (OBA) for a long time, and that was how I met him as I flew with him a number of times. He had over 3000 hours (not all as instructor) logged. It is with great regret that today I found out that he died a few days ago in a plane crash. He was a great guy just trying to make it in this competitive business, and I will truly miss him.

http://www.kotv.com/e-clips/news/?id=11358

RIP Darren-so sad knowing you are no longer here.

HB

Thats sad news, I have a few hours logged with Darrin, an excellent pilot and instructor, will be sadly missed.

RIP Darrin

McGoo

Thanks for the email McGoo. I too received instruction from Darren at OBA and have fond memories of our time together particularly when he sent me for my first solo.

R.I.P Darren.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...081_edited.jpg

Never flew with him when I was at OBA (around the same time as mcgoo and Tigger) - but remember him well. Great guy (the coolest looking of all the instructors during my time there!) and a terrible loss. RIP. :(

Darrin was my fraternity brother, and best friend thank you all for your kind words. His funeral will be saturday in detroit michigan. if anyone wants information hit me on my email. [email protected]

i know his family would like to thank you all and continue to pray for them. May you rest in peace my friend. You are God's pilot now

Very sad news :(... Thoughts with friends and family, I flew for an hour I think ( will have to check the log book) with him, but was a top guy and had a very dry sense of humour. Really sorry to hear about this, thanks for the e-mail Slopey, I am sure everyone who was at OBA will remember good times with him :ok:

Shucks this is sad did my PPL in DEC 2005 and he was always helpful and friendly . RIP

I had only kown Darrin for about 6 months as we worked together and had swapped routes on new years so he could spend it with his girlfriend. I flew with him c couple times and was an excellent pilot. I also enjoyed our morning chats about our routes, weather, plane issues and just joking around in general. I know he was so excited about his two interviews on Monday and was so shocked when i heard about his crash. It was hard to walk to my plane knowing he wouldn't be walking with me. Even harder to see his car still in the parking lot each day. The comapny wasn't as forthcoming that he had even crashed or the details but losing a well experienced pilot who had over 4000 hours and finally gotten enough multi to move on just put us all in shock and awake. Many of us know planning our move. As Darrin joked he owed me "big time" for swapping routes I think I was paid back as I recieved two interviews on the same monday his were. So thank you Darrin for just being a great person, pilot, son, and friend and condolences to all who will miss him.

I'm so very, very sad to hear about Darrin. I met him at OBA too. He was a lovely guy. So generous in spirit, and so full of fun. It makes one realise just how easily it can happen to anyone. I'm just stunned about it.

My heart goes out to his family and friends.

Darren was my Instrument Instructor for a few lessons and it´s a very sad ending for such a good person, he was a good pilot and instructor but an even better person in heart and soul.
My sympathies to his family and to all that share the same pain of loosing someone like him.

Good bye Darren we´ll miss you and for sure we´ll not forget you.

I thought I recognised the name but it wasn't 'til I saw the photo (Thanks Tigger) that I realised I'd flown with him at OBA too in Dec 05. He was a revelation after my other instructor (pretty crap) and I learned more from him in a few hours than in the previous twenty! He did a superb job of knockong me into shape and giving me the confidence to complete my night rating, as night flying, I am happy to admit, initially put the wind up me, thanks to him, I find it a pleasure now.

He was a brilliant teacher, friendly, cool, calm and knowledgable with not a hint of the arrogance that I found in some of his colleagues.

Very, very sad.

So long mate, it was an honour and a pleasure to have met you.

dB

Darrin....
 

Darrin taugh me to fly in 2006....he was cool. whilst on a night flight with him, I asked what I should do if I ever have an engine failure when I solo at night...he said "shut your eyes", it made me laugh even though i was freaking a little. I enjoyed my time with him. RIP. Bye Darrin.

Adam