Morecambe Bay helo down
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Sadly, I've only just heard about this tragic accident which shows yet again that no matter how much safer aviation has become over the yeard it is still an unforgivingly dangerous occupation to be in.
My sincere condolences to all the families of those who have died in this crash and may the souls of those departed Rest in Peace.
My sincere condolences to all the families of those who have died in this crash and may the souls of those departed Rest in Peace.
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Fodders was one of the original voices of Helimed 61 when the base established at Caernarfon. An all round top chap and, as mentioned, 'absolutely barking'. He will be missed by all who knew & worked with him.
Condolences to all families and friends.
Condolences to all families and friends.
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I am so deeply saddened to hear the terrible news.
My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to all those that have been taken by this tragedy. Condolences to all families, loved ones and friends.
My thoughts also go to the very many people at the heliport and hangar who have been left to try and continue in these difficult times.
Thinking of you.
Ian Wall
My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to all those that have been taken by this tragedy. Condolences to all families, loved ones and friends.
My thoughts also go to the very many people at the heliport and hangar who have been left to try and continue in these difficult times.
Thinking of you.
Ian Wall
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6213719.stm
"Even if the helicopter turned upside down, all the people that travel in these things get trained in a 'dunker', which is basically a cage in a swimming pool where they practise escape. They would all have wetsuits, they would all have life-jackets."
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Of course, and all off-shore staff undergo intensive training before being allowed out to a rig to work. The 'oilies' are much better trained for a ditching than most full-time fixed wing flightdeck and cabin crew.
A very sad day. My heart bled tonight when I was able to kiss my kids goodnight. To the bereaved, our thoughts are with you.
A very sad day. My heart bled tonight when I was able to kiss my kids goodnight. To the bereaved, our thoughts are with you.
Condolences to all involved.
Knew both aircrew well and as usual, hopefully something can be learned and improved so a few less families have to suffer such sadness.
RIP
Knew both aircrew well and as usual, hopefully something can be learned and improved so a few less families have to suffer such sadness.
RIP
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Why do the good guys always go too soon???
Looking at these heartfelt tributes from people who really knew these people is heartbreaking, especially at this season.
Looking at these heartfelt tributes from people who really knew these people is heartbreaking, especially at this season.
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It's many years since I last saw Steve.
We flew a (then Bond) Super Puma to Blackpool in '87. The Tory party conference was on and we were tasked with flying 19 Conservative MPs out to the Morecambe bay rigs for a "look see". They were like a bunch of excited schoolkids.
The next day we were tasked with taking Mr Cecil Parkinson and his entourage out. I just remember the press were keen to photograph him in his rubber survival suit and he was not so keen! When we got back to Blackpool, shut down and Steve opened the cabin door he was given a wonderfully patronising "Well done" from the pompous git.
Really enjoyed that task away from Aberdeen, Steve. Knew you enjoyed being Blackpool Chief Pilot. RIP
We flew a (then Bond) Super Puma to Blackpool in '87. The Tory party conference was on and we were tasked with flying 19 Conservative MPs out to the Morecambe bay rigs for a "look see". They were like a bunch of excited schoolkids.
The next day we were tasked with taking Mr Cecil Parkinson and his entourage out. I just remember the press were keen to photograph him in his rubber survival suit and he was not so keen! When we got back to Blackpool, shut down and Steve opened the cabin door he was given a wonderfully patronising "Well done" from the pompous git.
Really enjoyed that task away from Aberdeen, Steve. Knew you enjoyed being Blackpool Chief Pilot. RIP
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
It is with a heavy heart that I post for the first time in nearly a year, having just found out that Simon was one of those who died in this tragic incident.
I got to know Simon pretty well, not only at work, but also having played Hockey in Gutersloh together for a good couple of years, including both the Cyprus and Australia tours with the 1 Regt AAC squad. (The Australia Tour photo just so happened to be on the desk in front of me ready to go back up after a bit of decorating, when I read his name, just to make it a real kick in the nads!)
Without doubt a larger than life character in all senses of the phrase and always good to be around both at work and play.
I know 'Mrs Sid' will also be upset when I tell her in the morning.
RIP my friend, 'til later.
I got to know Simon pretty well, not only at work, but also having played Hockey in Gutersloh together for a good couple of years, including both the Cyprus and Australia tours with the 1 Regt AAC squad. (The Australia Tour photo just so happened to be on the desk in front of me ready to go back up after a bit of decorating, when I read his name, just to make it a real kick in the nads!)
Without doubt a larger than life character in all senses of the phrase and always good to be around both at work and play.
I know 'Mrs Sid' will also be upset when I tell her in the morning.
RIP my friend, 'til later.
Feasant Plucker
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"This is not a war story - and yet it is. Any tale in which the protagonists are so seriously harassed that they may lose their lives, demands an enemy capable of destruction.
......the war continues as you read these words and must prevail as long as man strives for progress"
"Fate is the Hunter"
Ernst K. Gann 1961
There but for..............
RIP fellow aviators.
M
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Speculation
A calm but very black night last night in the area. Goldfish bowl territory.
Not a very helpful quote. This type of speculation can only lead to grief. Until you have facts do not jump to conclusions especially ones that suggest two fine aviators may have some responsibility for the crash. I knew one pilot well, by all accounts the other is also a well respected pilot. Both pilots have flown in much worse conditions, so I don't expect a calm dark night would be a problem to them.
HeliFirst
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Steve started with Bond on Offshore support on the AS332 at ABZ.
He always made those long flights that much more enjoyable with his sense of humour.
That was over 20 years ago!!
.
Sad news..My condolences..
He always made those long flights that much more enjoyable with his sense of humour.
That was over 20 years ago!!
.
Sad news..My condolences..
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Hunt for FDR delayeddue to bad weather
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6215935.stm
"Ideally, the search today (Friday) would focus on finding the black box, but it looks as though the weather will curtail that," he said. He said the Met Office had forecast force six to eight winds, occasionally rising to severe gale force nine for the next 24 hours, with the following day seeing force six to eight, increasing to storm 10 at times.
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/77682.html
Keith Mullett, from helicopter company CHC Scotia, said both pilots were experienced. He said the firm operated five Eurocopter AS365N helicopters – known as the "Dauphin" – in Europe, and the aircraft's safety record and performance in the fleet had been "excellent". Mr Mullett said it was "extremely difficult" to say at this stage what may have happened.
"The amount of information we have is extremely limited, the investigation is in its early stages. It is much too early to say or to speculate at all about what could have happened," he said.
A spokesman said that there was a stringent routine maintenance schedule approved by the CAA and in light of the accident a number of additional routine checks, including visual inspections of critical areas, were being carried out on their fleet.
Any idea what these extra checks are?
More wreckage brought ashore
Flowers on a seaman's statue pay tribute to the victims of the helicopter crash in the Irish Sea. Photograph: John Giles/PA
Further tributes to Steve from local newspapers
http://www.blackpooltoday.co.uk/View...icleID=1949745
http://www.lep.co.uk/ViewArticle2.as...icleID=1949479
Blackburn Cathedral has confirmed that special prayers will be said for the victims, including Preston father-of-two Simon Foddering, twice daily throughout the holiday period. Services will be held at 10.30am and 3pm throughout the next few days.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6215935.stm
"Ideally, the search today (Friday) would focus on finding the black box, but it looks as though the weather will curtail that," he said. He said the Met Office had forecast force six to eight winds, occasionally rising to severe gale force nine for the next 24 hours, with the following day seeing force six to eight, increasing to storm 10 at times.
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/77682.html
Keith Mullett, from helicopter company CHC Scotia, said both pilots were experienced. He said the firm operated five Eurocopter AS365N helicopters – known as the "Dauphin" – in Europe, and the aircraft's safety record and performance in the fleet had been "excellent". Mr Mullett said it was "extremely difficult" to say at this stage what may have happened.
"The amount of information we have is extremely limited, the investigation is in its early stages. It is much too early to say or to speculate at all about what could have happened," he said.
A spokesman said that there was a stringent routine maintenance schedule approved by the CAA and in light of the accident a number of additional routine checks, including visual inspections of critical areas, were being carried out on their fleet.
Any idea what these extra checks are?
More wreckage brought ashore
Flowers on a seaman's statue pay tribute to the victims of the helicopter crash in the Irish Sea. Photograph: John Giles/PA
Further tributes to Steve from local newspapers
http://www.blackpooltoday.co.uk/View...icleID=1949745
http://www.lep.co.uk/ViewArticle2.as...icleID=1949479
Blackburn Cathedral has confirmed that special prayers will be said for the victims, including Preston father-of-two Simon Foddering, twice daily throughout the holiday period. Services will be held at 10.30am and 3pm throughout the next few days.
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A very sad day indeed and my thoughts go out to all those families and friends touched by this tragedy.
I only knew Simon Foddering, I first met him when I was posted to Northern Ireland.
He was a one of those pilots who you enjoyed being crewed with, he was such a jovial person full of banter. He was a very knowledgeable and skillful pilot, a safe hand who was often asked to mentor the new pilots posted in. I have spent many sorties staring out at the ground through the roof window of a Lynx whilst carrying out rapid descents into security bases with Simon and his big smiling face at the controls.
The world will be less happier place without you.
RIP Simon.
I only knew Simon Foddering, I first met him when I was posted to Northern Ireland.
He was a one of those pilots who you enjoyed being crewed with, he was such a jovial person full of banter. He was a very knowledgeable and skillful pilot, a safe hand who was often asked to mentor the new pilots posted in. I have spent many sorties staring out at the ground through the roof window of a Lynx whilst carrying out rapid descents into security bases with Simon and his big smiling face at the controls.
The world will be less happier place without you.
RIP Simon.
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Si,
You are already sorely missed. I remember the banter we used to have whilst on many duties at R850. This continued on my many trips across the water where your hospitality at Bond ensured a home from home for visiting Army Aircrew, not to mention the odd civvy who would be lounging in 'your' chair whilst you had a call out!
RIP, my friend.
h
You are already sorely missed. I remember the banter we used to have whilst on many duties at R850. This continued on my many trips across the water where your hospitality at Bond ensured a home from home for visiting Army Aircrew, not to mention the odd civvy who would be lounging in 'your' chair whilst you had a call out!
RIP, my friend.
h