R22 accident in south of France
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I first met Martin 25 years ago when he was an active member of the Long Mynd Hang Gliding Club. I did not know Simon. In those days there was a pecking order and the old hands expected sprogs to learn the hard way.
This was not the attitude of old-hand Martin, he always extended the hand of encouragement and warmth to any flyer.
I can still see him now, striding through the purple heather of the Mynd, setting sun to his back, booming some friendly advice and comfort as I lay underneath a smashed glider with equally damaged collar bone. He canceled his flying, took charge, sat me down, summoned the ambulance and secured my glider. (His father was a Doctor I understand). I bought his Hang Glider off him some months later.
You always came away from a conversation with Martin feeling better about things. He had a knack of putting the mundane into perspective, cutting through the crap and pointing to the clouds.
If there was ever one person to have around when things weren’t too good it was him. If there was ever one person I was proud to know it was him. If there was ever anyone who was designed to be in a cockpit it was him.
Fly away Martin.
Pete.
This was not the attitude of old-hand Martin, he always extended the hand of encouragement and warmth to any flyer.
I can still see him now, striding through the purple heather of the Mynd, setting sun to his back, booming some friendly advice and comfort as I lay underneath a smashed glider with equally damaged collar bone. He canceled his flying, took charge, sat me down, summoned the ambulance and secured my glider. (His father was a Doctor I understand). I bought his Hang Glider off him some months later.
You always came away from a conversation with Martin feeling better about things. He had a knack of putting the mundane into perspective, cutting through the crap and pointing to the clouds.
If there was ever one person to have around when things weren’t too good it was him. If there was ever one person I was proud to know it was him. If there was ever anyone who was designed to be in a cockpit it was him.
Fly away Martin.
Pete.
Last edited by Cron; 10th Dec 2010 at 20:57.
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RIP dear friends
What can one say ... an especially horrid and particularly sad loss. Martin was such a sociable, lovable, easy going and fun guy ... the trademark 'hat' and the constant banter from the pair of them. In these heart rending circumstances one cannot believe that we members of the British team will never share and enjoy their company again. So sorely to be missed. My heart goes out to the families and may our god bless them.
Dennis Kenyon
Dennis Kenyon
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RIP
Fly Q | Home | Helicopter Sales | New and Pre-Owned | Robinson | Agusta | Bell | Eurocopter photos of Martin and Simon from Belarus
Announcement from Fly Q
It is with sadness that we announce that our dear friends and colleagues, Martin Rutty and Simon Lichtenstein, died yesterday. The Robinson R22 helicopter crashed shortly after take off from Sospel, Nice, coming down in the densely wooded Tourrettes-sur-Loup valley.
They had left Sospel at 9.00 am on a bright and clear day bound for Avignon. Eyewitness reports indicate catastrophic mechanical failure exacerbated by strong headwinds. The authorities at Nice have started their investigation and family members will be travelling to France over the course of the next few days.
Martin and Simon have been long term pilots, flying together since 1999. They were highly experienced pilots having held four British championship titles and represented the British Helicopter Team in the past four world championships, most recently in Belarus. Presently, we do not know who was piloting the helicopter.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with Martin's and Simon's families.
10th December 2010
Announcement from Fly Q
It is with sadness that we announce that our dear friends and colleagues, Martin Rutty and Simon Lichtenstein, died yesterday. The Robinson R22 helicopter crashed shortly after take off from Sospel, Nice, coming down in the densely wooded Tourrettes-sur-Loup valley.
They had left Sospel at 9.00 am on a bright and clear day bound for Avignon. Eyewitness reports indicate catastrophic mechanical failure exacerbated by strong headwinds. The authorities at Nice have started their investigation and family members will be travelling to France over the course of the next few days.
Martin and Simon have been long term pilots, flying together since 1999. They were highly experienced pilots having held four British championship titles and represented the British Helicopter Team in the past four world championships, most recently in Belarus. Presently, we do not know who was piloting the helicopter.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with Martin's and Simon's families.
10th December 2010
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Shared a few days with Martin at the Heli Russia show in Moscow last year. He certainly turned a few heads over there with his ever present hat. Very nice guy and my condolences to family and friends.
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I had the privilege of competing against both Martin and Simon in several Helichamps, and against Martin in the International Helimeet. Gentlemen both, and a pleasure to have known them. The world of rotary GA is diminshed by their sad loss. I hope and trust that the usual restraint against speculation in these matters will endure on this forum - though imho some posters should perhaps have considered their impact before clicking 'submit'.
How fondly do I remember those white, short-sleeve flight suits at the Helimeet - www.fine.thanks!
A fine pair of aviators, who will be sadly missed at any future gathering...
How fondly do I remember those white, short-sleeve flight suits at the Helimeet - www.fine.thanks!
A fine pair of aviators, who will be sadly missed at any future gathering...
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Fly West Gentlemen
Very sad to hear this news. I competed against Simon and Martin on many occasions in the British Helicopter Championships and was also in the British Team for the World Championship in Rouen in 2005 with both Simon and Martin. Martin and I also crossed a few social circles and I know the wider audience will a poorer a place without him. Absolutely devastating news for their families and the aviation community.
Flying West
I hope there's a place, way up in the sky,
Where pilots can go, when they have to die.
A place where a guy could buy a cold beer
For a friend and a comrade whose memory is dear.
A place where no doctor or lawyer could tread,
Nor a management -type would e'er be caught dead!
Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke!
The kind of a place where a lady could go,
And feel safe and secure by the men she would know.
There MUST be a place where old pilots go, when
Their wings become weary, when their airspeed gets low;
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And songs about flying and dying are sung.
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd "flown west" before,
And they'd call out your name, as you came thru the door,
Who would buy you a drink, if the thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"
And then thru the mist you'd spot an old guy
You had not seen for years, though he'd taught YOU to fly,
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear,
And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased you are here!
For this is the place where true flyers come,
When the battles are over, and the wars have been won;
We've come here at last, to be safe and afar,
From the government clerk, and the management czar,
Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise,
Where all Hours are Happy, and these good ol' boys,
Can relax with a 'cool one', and a well deserved rest.."
"This is Heaven, my son: You've passed your last check!"
Condolences from Mr and Mrs h.
Flying West
I hope there's a place, way up in the sky,
Where pilots can go, when they have to die.
A place where a guy could buy a cold beer
For a friend and a comrade whose memory is dear.
A place where no doctor or lawyer could tread,
Nor a management -type would e'er be caught dead!
Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke!
The kind of a place where a lady could go,
And feel safe and secure by the men she would know.
There MUST be a place where old pilots go, when
Their wings become weary, when their airspeed gets low;
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And songs about flying and dying are sung.
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd "flown west" before,
And they'd call out your name, as you came thru the door,
Who would buy you a drink, if the thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"
And then thru the mist you'd spot an old guy
You had not seen for years, though he'd taught YOU to fly,
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear,
And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased you are here!
For this is the place where true flyers come,
When the battles are over, and the wars have been won;
We've come here at last, to be safe and afar,
From the government clerk, and the management czar,
Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise,
Where all Hours are Happy, and these good ol' boys,
Can relax with a 'cool one', and a well deserved rest.."
"This is Heaven, my son: You've passed your last check!"
Condolences from Mr and Mrs h.
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Never had to good fortune to meet these men but from reading the comments here they were obviously fine people and excellent examples to other pilots in our industry. A very sad loss. RIP.
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My first overseas flight from the UK was ferrying a 44 to Cuneo with Martin. I learned so much from that, and Martin was so willing to teach. We stayed in contact since, and he was always ready to answer questions or provide useful bits of advice.
I only met Simon once, through Martin. Simon provided a reassuring down-to-Earth presence, radiating quiet confidence. He was an ideal counterfoil to Martin's ebullience.
RIP, you lived the life, were an inspiration, and you will be sorely missed.
I only met Simon once, through Martin. Simon provided a reassuring down-to-Earth presence, radiating quiet confidence. He was an ideal counterfoil to Martin's ebullience.
RIP, you lived the life, were an inspiration, and you will be sorely missed.
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I cant believe this, i knew Martin from when he bought my R22 off me back in September last year and arranged for it to be flown down from Edinburgh and rebuilt in Italy! He was a really nice guy and a good pilot. This could put me off flying R22's now,,,if this can happen to Martin, it can happen to anyone, regardless of experience or skill.
RIP Fellas.
RIP Fellas.
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Had the pleasure of meeting Martin on a few occassions. He was a man who was full of energy with regards to flying. Afraid I did not know him well socially but I'm sure he brought this energy and enthusiasm to everything he turned his hand too.
He will be greatly missed by the flying community.
RIP
He will be greatly missed by the flying community.
RIP
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The first I head of this tragedy was when Sky News contacted me to ask if they could use the photo that 'Heliport' has linked to ... naturally, there was never any question that they could.
In 2005 I was the official photographer at the World Helicopter Championships at Rouen and, being a fellow Brit, when the British Team flew in, I was naturally drawn to them - when you miss the language and that 'biting' sense of humour, you'd do anything to be a part of it.
I cannot claim that I ever 'knew' Martin Rutty and Simon Lichtenstein, but once you're all lumped in together at Rouen Boos airfield for 5 days, characters tend to stand out - and that hat of Martin's could be seen from a l-o-n-g way away.
The entire British Team made me most welcome and in return for shielding me from the rain and pushing cans of Tizer in my direction, they went home with a reasonable collection of photos (as did the magazine Rotor Torque).
It was following the accident last Thursday that I discovered that Martin and Simon both witnessed the last flight of Gunter Zimmer. I bumped into Herr Zimmer at Montbéliard on a European Championship.
A very sad time for all those involved in Helicopters.
Stuart
Stuart McAlister
In 2005 I was the official photographer at the World Helicopter Championships at Rouen and, being a fellow Brit, when the British Team flew in, I was naturally drawn to them - when you miss the language and that 'biting' sense of humour, you'd do anything to be a part of it.
I cannot claim that I ever 'knew' Martin Rutty and Simon Lichtenstein, but once you're all lumped in together at Rouen Boos airfield for 5 days, characters tend to stand out - and that hat of Martin's could be seen from a l-o-n-g way away.
The entire British Team made me most welcome and in return for shielding me from the rain and pushing cans of Tizer in my direction, they went home with a reasonable collection of photos (as did the magazine Rotor Torque).
It was following the accident last Thursday that I discovered that Martin and Simon both witnessed the last flight of Gunter Zimmer. I bumped into Herr Zimmer at Montbéliard on a European Championship.
A very sad time for all those involved in Helicopters.
Stuart
Stuart McAlister
Last edited by radarlove; 13th Dec 2010 at 06:52.
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Words cannot express how I feel about this sad loss.
It was Martin that inspired me to do my licence when I was working with him for a year and then bought my company off him. Both Martin & Simon where really nice people and I can hear Martin's standard reponse when picking up the phone to me "Now then, Now then" as we caught up with each other every 6 months.
My thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.
Steven
It was Martin that inspired me to do my licence when I was working with him for a year and then bought my company off him. Both Martin & Simon where really nice people and I can hear Martin's standard reponse when picking up the phone to me "Now then, Now then" as we caught up with each other every 6 months.
My thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.
Steven
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Macfloogle
I had the pleasure of getting to know Martin and Simon quite well over the past five years and a more dedicated pair of Aviators would be difficult to find.
They were inseparable as friends and it is tragic beyond words that this had to happen.
Like everyone else has said the Aviation World has lost two "great guys". I will miss them both very much.
With great sadness
Macfloogle.
They were inseparable as friends and it is tragic beyond words that this had to happen.
Like everyone else has said the Aviation World has lost two "great guys". I will miss them both very much.
With great sadness
Macfloogle.
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I am just speechless, I have met Martin and Simon in Switzerland and helped them ferry a R44 to the heli meeting in Grenchen last march. RIP both of you, you will be missed.