Helicopter missing in the Mourne Mountains, & tributes to AJ
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
From: Omnipresent
To keep on thread;
I flew with the pilot in question on numerous occasions on AOC work both in the same aircraft on line check or positioning and in formation on film work and multi aircraft taskings.
He always had an opinion, sometimes a loud one, usually made me giggle and often brightened the passengers day. An entire day sat at Barton aerodrome awaiting pax springs to mind and it flew by. A good wind up merchant, ever heard the story of the Ops Inspector who while ramp checking him in a 206 actually believed him when he was told he absolutely never held a licence....
Quality. You'd definitely hear him before you saw him.
A loving husband and father. Sincerest condolences to family and friends.
And yes he did know NI very well and may have been avoiding Irish airspace as he flew off a UK issued license but that doesn't matter now.
A character who will be missed.
H
I flew with the pilot in question on numerous occasions on AOC work both in the same aircraft on line check or positioning and in formation on film work and multi aircraft taskings.
He always had an opinion, sometimes a loud one, usually made me giggle and often brightened the passengers day. An entire day sat at Barton aerodrome awaiting pax springs to mind and it flew by. A good wind up merchant, ever heard the story of the Ops Inspector who while ramp checking him in a 206 actually believed him when he was told he absolutely never held a licence....
Quality. You'd definitely hear him before you saw him.A loving husband and father. Sincerest condolences to family and friends.
And yes he did know NI very well and may have been avoiding Irish airspace as he flew off a UK issued license but that doesn't matter now.
A character who will be missed.
H
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 15,111
Likes: 1,085
From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
I first flew with this pilot about 25 years ago, after he changed the colour of his uniform. I later flew on operations in NI with him after he became qualified on type. I have also shared a day or two with him since, at Battersea and elsewhere, "lamp-swinging".
On the face of it, for now it's baffling to some why the accident happened. I'm shocked and very saddened by it. But I stick with my earlier comment, about what the AAIB will be looking at, and which was not aimed as a personal criticism.
On the face of it, for now it's baffling to some why the accident happened. I'm shocked and very saddened by it. But I stick with my earlier comment, about what the AAIB will be looking at, and which was not aimed as a personal criticism.
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Joined: Nov 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,753
Likes: 66
From: Alles über die platz
I will say again, I believe we learn nothing from wild speculation!
The One Your Mother Warned You About
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Wherever they pay me
Hedski;
I believe I may have been with you that day at Barton. Faced with hours of sitting around he brightened my day and seemed to take great delight in shocking many of the Barton Flying Club members.
A highly experienced operator he was funny, loud and utterly outspoken, he was always mighty kind to me and was a fund of excellent knowledge as well as astonishingly blue stories and de-fenestrating character sketches of people in authority.
The world will be a much poorer place without this man (and a hell of a lot quieter!)
God rest him and bless his familly. Maybe its time for an old style goodbye from his colleagues.
FF
I believe I may have been with you that day at Barton. Faced with hours of sitting around he brightened my day and seemed to take great delight in shocking many of the Barton Flying Club members.
A highly experienced operator he was funny, loud and utterly outspoken, he was always mighty kind to me and was a fund of excellent knowledge as well as astonishingly blue stories and de-fenestrating character sketches of people in authority.
The world will be a much poorer place without this man (and a hell of a lot quieter!)
God rest him and bless his familly. Maybe its time for an old style goodbye from his colleagues.
FF
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Kent
Jakal,
Your uncle was a personal friend of mine for over 15 years, I rate him as a person and as a pilot, I was due to see him on Sunday so the news has hit home very hard, he was a complete one off and would always cheer the ops room up, I will miss him very much.
Your uncle was a personal friend of mine for over 15 years, I rate him as a person and as a pilot, I was due to see him on Sunday so the news has hit home very hard, he was a complete one off and would always cheer the ops room up, I will miss him very much.
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 168
Likes: 1
From: Mega city One.
"Whippet one" has departed for the longest flight of all.
Thanks for the lessons taught, the stories told, the jokes repeated over and over again, Tarzan Ringtone going off in the middle of briefings,advice given and the times spent in various conversations about the way the world should work.
You will be missed by many.
Rest in Peace.
Thanks for the lessons taught, the stories told, the jokes repeated over and over again, Tarzan Ringtone going off in the middle of briefings,advice given and the times spent in various conversations about the way the world should work.
You will be missed by many.
Rest in Peace.
Last edited by heliboy999; 27th October 2010 at 20:11.
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Chester
RIP
As a ppl with only 5 years experience I have refrained from posting here.
But after 4 days of being asked about the incident I need to ask if someone will pm me.
I live in Chester, work in Surrey and sick of being asked my opinion on something I feel I can't answer. I have many colleagues who know the pax but no contact with the pilot!
My condolences are with the family of any Heli accident.
I have flown with many 109 drivers in the last 5 years and would like to know who is being talked about rather than listening to rumours!
But after 4 days of being asked about the incident I need to ask if someone will pm me.
I live in Chester, work in Surrey and sick of being asked my opinion on something I feel I can't answer. I have many colleagues who know the pax but no contact with the pilot!
My condolences are with the family of any Heli accident.
I have flown with many 109 drivers in the last 5 years and would like to know who is being talked about rather than listening to rumours!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
From: Omnipresent
Re: St. Peter
Sid,
I'm pretty sure I could imagine how the conversation will start:
****** arrives at the gates of heaven, St Peter says give me one good reason I should let you in.
****** replies: "Cos I've got more hours on NVG than you have f*cking angels in heaven, now p*ss off out o' me way ya daft c*nt!!!"
Sounds about right for him really.
H
I'm pretty sure I could imagine how the conversation will start:
****** arrives at the gates of heaven, St Peter says give me one good reason I should let you in.
****** replies: "Cos I've got more hours on NVG than you have f*cking angels in heaven, now p*ss off out o' me way ya daft c*nt!!!"
Sounds about right for him really.
H
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Coldandnasty
Heli driver
Hi Earl,
Now there's a name . NICK ROSS. Haven't seen or heard of Nick since IRAN 1978/79. Is he still alive???? Do you have a contact...tp or email????
Nick learnt about high alt landings in Iran when he hard landed at ???12000 feet ??? with an ALIII. Pushed the front wheel through the floor and screwed up the hydraulics. Quite an op getting him off the mountain.
Did a good job for a navy pilot.We all learnt from that which is a good thing cause it helps to keep us alive. Thanks Nick.
Now there's a name . NICK ROSS. Haven't seen or heard of Nick since IRAN 1978/79. Is he still alive???? Do you have a contact...tp or email????
Nick learnt about high alt landings in Iran when he hard landed at ???12000 feet ??? with an ALIII. Pushed the front wheel through the floor and screwed up the hydraulics. Quite an op getting him off the mountain.
Did a good job for a navy pilot.We all learnt from that which is a good thing cause it helps to keep us alive. Thanks Nick.
Last edited by rod scott; 31st October 2010 at 00:04.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,055
Likes: 31
From: Liverpool based Geordie, so calm down, calm down kidda!!
Just found out the name of the pilot. Its been a few years now since I last saw him, but I am gutted. I flew many hours with a legend, from NI tasking to an epic week long jolly to Malta. The Malta trip alone could make a best-selling book. If any family are still reading, PLEASE PLEASE release the name to the public, I think a legend like this would fill many many posts with stories and quotes. Let the aviationworld celebrate his life.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: London
As a close friend and colleague of the pilot I have been asked by his immediate family to inform the aviation world of his identity. It is with great sadness that I do so. His full name is Anthony Joseph Smith, but will be remembered by all those who knew him simply as ‘AJ’. He was a true legend, once met never forgotten and I know many of you will have your stories and anecdotes to tell. Although he told it like it was, he had a heart of gold and adored his family. He was one of the best pilots I have ever had the privilege of working with and was a very loyal friend. He will be missed terribly by everyone who knew him. RIP mate.