Carl Cochrane RIP
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Carl Cochrane RIP
Friends and colleagues will be sad to hear that Carl Cochrane, MD of AV8 Helicopters at Rochester, and commercial helicopter pilot, died peacefully this afternoon, Monday 22nd April.
Carl had fought bravely against cancer, diagnosed at the end of last July. Despite great courage and optimism, a pro-active medical team, and the support of his family and his many friends, he was finally overcome by the disease.
Carl began helicopter flying when invalided out of the Police Service, having contracted a kidney disease; after obtaining his PPL he built his hours and took his CPL exams. But in the midst of this he lost his flying medical. This he regained as a Class 1 (UK only) after a kidney transplant and stabilisation of his regime…but by then 7 years had expired, and he set himself to the task of again slogging through the CPL exams, and completed his modular CPL flight training within a month of getting his pass results. I had the pleasure of being one of his instructors on the commercial course, and again later when he added the AS355 to his type ratings. In the early part of last year he completed a FI (H) course.
Carl set up AV8 in 2004, in partnership with a Kent building company which needed a helicopter to help move senior staff to meetings at commercial sites around UK. Carl successfully negotiated the sale of the company to a new parent company, Oryx Jet, at Biggin Hill, in October 2012, and since then the company has been trading as AV8-Oryx.
Although he had again lost his medical at the start of chemotherapy, Carl was determined to keep working despite his illness; only recently could he no longer manage the journey from home to Rochester, though he continued to keep his finger on the pulse of the business.
Carl will be missed by his many friends and his family; and in particular we remember his widow, Tracy.
I will post details of funeral arrangements when I have them.
RIP Carl.
Carl had fought bravely against cancer, diagnosed at the end of last July. Despite great courage and optimism, a pro-active medical team, and the support of his family and his many friends, he was finally overcome by the disease.
Carl began helicopter flying when invalided out of the Police Service, having contracted a kidney disease; after obtaining his PPL he built his hours and took his CPL exams. But in the midst of this he lost his flying medical. This he regained as a Class 1 (UK only) after a kidney transplant and stabilisation of his regime…but by then 7 years had expired, and he set himself to the task of again slogging through the CPL exams, and completed his modular CPL flight training within a month of getting his pass results. I had the pleasure of being one of his instructors on the commercial course, and again later when he added the AS355 to his type ratings. In the early part of last year he completed a FI (H) course.
Carl set up AV8 in 2004, in partnership with a Kent building company which needed a helicopter to help move senior staff to meetings at commercial sites around UK. Carl successfully negotiated the sale of the company to a new parent company, Oryx Jet, at Biggin Hill, in October 2012, and since then the company has been trading as AV8-Oryx.
Although he had again lost his medical at the start of chemotherapy, Carl was determined to keep working despite his illness; only recently could he no longer manage the journey from home to Rochester, though he continued to keep his finger on the pulse of the business.
Carl will be missed by his many friends and his family; and in particular we remember his widow, Tracy.
I will post details of funeral arrangements when I have them.
RIP Carl.
Last edited by idle stop; 22nd Apr 2013 at 21:38.
I'm very sorry to hear that.
I did not know Carl all that well, but i flew with him a little in the early 2000's when he was a PPL. He was a good pilot and a nice guy.
My sincere sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues.
OH
I did not know Carl all that well, but i flew with him a little in the early 2000's when he was a PPL. He was a good pilot and a nice guy.
My sincere sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues.
OH
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I met Carl a few years ago while studying for my ATPL(H) exams at Bristol, and kept in touch via the occasional email.
A thoroughly nice guy, I am saddened and shocked by this news.
My thoughts go out to his family, friends and colleagues.
RIP.
A thoroughly nice guy, I am saddened and shocked by this news.
My thoughts go out to his family, friends and colleagues.
RIP.
Last edited by Need money; 22nd Apr 2013 at 19:07.
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Carl really was a good guy who will certainly be missed at Rochester, one of the most meticulous and professional people I have met in my aviation world and generous with his time as well.
I remember crystal clear a couple of years ago I was at Rochester Airport with my Partner just relaxing and Carl said there's a couple of spare seats in the EC130 if you both want to go along for the ride, 40 minutes later we were going along the Heli Lanes on a perfectly clear day.
Carl would not accept a penny towards the ride but I was able to repay in a small way with a ride in the Cirrus on another occasion.
I also know he fought to the end and despite clearly being quite effected by the illness was able to attend a relatively recent GASCO safety meeting.
Good effort & RIP Carl
I remember crystal clear a couple of years ago I was at Rochester Airport with my Partner just relaxing and Carl said there's a couple of spare seats in the EC130 if you both want to go along for the ride, 40 minutes later we were going along the Heli Lanes on a perfectly clear day.
Carl would not accept a penny towards the ride but I was able to repay in a small way with a ride in the Cirrus on another occasion.
I also know he fought to the end and despite clearly being quite effected by the illness was able to attend a relatively recent GASCO safety meeting.
Good effort & RIP Carl
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Rest in Peace Carl.
Thanks to Idlestop. Very nicely posted. We shall all miss him.
I shall particularly miss his brilliant sense of humour. His mid flight entertainment was second to none. He seemed to be able to create a joke about any town or field we flew over.
The way he dealt with the cancer was admirable to the end. You would not know he even had it. I hoped he might overcome it like he did the many battles with the kidney disease. Sadly it was not to be.
He was an invaluable support to me in my flying from the very beginning, endlessly patient with any questions -and my tech log errors (!). Always available for advice.
I will hold him in fond memory. He will be dearly missed on the pad.
Rest in peace Carl.
Tracy and family our thoughts are with you.
Kent Heli 08
I shall particularly miss his brilliant sense of humour. His mid flight entertainment was second to none. He seemed to be able to create a joke about any town or field we flew over.
The way he dealt with the cancer was admirable to the end. You would not know he even had it. I hoped he might overcome it like he did the many battles with the kidney disease. Sadly it was not to be.
He was an invaluable support to me in my flying from the very beginning, endlessly patient with any questions -and my tech log errors (!). Always available for advice.
I will hold him in fond memory. He will be dearly missed on the pad.
Rest in peace Carl.
Tracy and family our thoughts are with you.
Kent Heli 08
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Rest in Peace Carl
One of life's quiet, unassuming characters, a true gentleman.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to have worked with you, albeit for a short time. If I can take some of the essence of who you are with me through life, I will be a better person for it.
You will be greatly missed by your family, your many friends and colleagues.
RIP Carl.
XTEC
I am very grateful for the opportunity to have worked with you, albeit for a short time. If I can take some of the essence of who you are with me through life, I will be a better person for it.
You will be greatly missed by your family, your many friends and colleagues.
RIP Carl.
XTEC
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So sorry to hear of Carl's passing. I admired him as a pilot and as a genuine nice guy. I liked the way he could listen to a different opinion and weigh it up objectively. Fly Onward Carl!
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What really sad news, it was me that got Carl into flying in the first place when I went into Barretts where Carl used to work and bought a car from him. We got chatting helicopters as you do, we were local to Carl, we became mates and Carl began his PPL with us. Carl and I were great pals for many years and I have some great memories of him, and pictures, I remember the kidney illness well, tha twas tragic in itself, but he did so well to come back to full fitness, I remember landing in a field behind Canterbury hospital the hospital and we would sneak him out and go flying, which always resulted in finger wagging from the nurses. We sadly lost touch for a few years through business, which is so pointless now, but I am glad we made our piece with each other a couple of years ago and it was great to be back in touch. I spoke to him only recently and I am so gutted that I didn't get to see him. Farewell mate.
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Carl Cochrane - RIP
I first met Carl around 8 years ago at Redhill Aerodrome when I had literally just obtained my PPL(H) licence and shortly afterwards I ended up working for him for a short time at AV8 Helicopters at Rochester Airport.
I always admired Carl for his true sense of utmost professionalism whether in his private or professional life. Although I haven’t seen Carl for a number of years now, even now, I struggle to accept Carl has moved on.
He was without doubt a very good, fun, dedicated, cheeky chap with a true sense of passion for rotary aviation.
He absolutely adored his job and was equally very proud of the AV8 Helicopters brand, achievements and legacy which he has now left behind.
I truly respected Carl for being an unbelievable and naturally gifted helicopter pilot and a generously good man who will be missed.
I shall always remember Carl and my thoughts and prayers are with Tracey and the family at this very difficult time.
I always admired Carl for his true sense of utmost professionalism whether in his private or professional life. Although I haven’t seen Carl for a number of years now, even now, I struggle to accept Carl has moved on.
He was without doubt a very good, fun, dedicated, cheeky chap with a true sense of passion for rotary aviation.
He absolutely adored his job and was equally very proud of the AV8 Helicopters brand, achievements and legacy which he has now left behind.
I truly respected Carl for being an unbelievable and naturally gifted helicopter pilot and a generously good man who will be missed.
I shall always remember Carl and my thoughts and prayers are with Tracey and the family at this very difficult time.
Last edited by SECRET SERVICE; 23rd Apr 2013 at 18:08.
Thread Starter
Thank you those of you who have posted your tributes to Carl.
A comment I made to a couple of people prompted me to write some more....
The comment was that heaven's hangar floors would be well swept from now on........!
Carl was fastidious, always well turned out personally, and he insisted on a clean and tidy operation in very aspect. Of course, the presentation of aircraft that were both well-maintained and clean as a whistle always impressed his clients....and it helped with CAA audit inspections too.
But it wasn't just the hangar that was tidy. Carl was a superb administrator, and his attention to detail helped maintain a series of successful ops audits, with generally only minor 'infractions' to deal with.
And equally importantly, he loved to fly and was a conscientious, careful and very proficient pilot, who would not let his can-do approach to life over-rule the safety of his company's passengers, or his own.
I worked with him for nearly 8 years; though I gave up my post with the company (not knowing of his illness at the time) because of disagreements with his (then) fellow directors, it did not affect our friendship.
I shall miss him.
A comment I made to a couple of people prompted me to write some more....
The comment was that heaven's hangar floors would be well swept from now on........!
Carl was fastidious, always well turned out personally, and he insisted on a clean and tidy operation in very aspect. Of course, the presentation of aircraft that were both well-maintained and clean as a whistle always impressed his clients....and it helped with CAA audit inspections too.
But it wasn't just the hangar that was tidy. Carl was a superb administrator, and his attention to detail helped maintain a series of successful ops audits, with generally only minor 'infractions' to deal with.
And equally importantly, he loved to fly and was a conscientious, careful and very proficient pilot, who would not let his can-do approach to life over-rule the safety of his company's passengers, or his own.
I worked with him for nearly 8 years; though I gave up my post with the company (not knowing of his illness at the time) because of disagreements with his (then) fellow directors, it did not affect our friendship.
I shall miss him.
Thread Starter
Carl’s funeral will be on Friday 10th May 3:15 pm. at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Canterbury and then 4:40 pm at Barham Crematorium. The Wake will be held at the Fordwich Arms, Sturry.
Tracy is requesting that pilots attend in their uniform where possible.
Flowers are family only and it is requested that donations are to go to East Kent Hospital Charity, Renal Unit, Canterbury.
Tracy is requesting that pilots attend in their uniform where possible.
Flowers are family only and it is requested that donations are to go to East Kent Hospital Charity, Renal Unit, Canterbury.
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I only heard yesterday the very sad news and can only echo the words of others and say my thourghts are with his family
I will miss seeing his name come up on my phone with a call or text to do some flying and release me from my normal day for one filled with the privileges of flying helicopters with one of the best
Thanks for the trust and friendship
RIP Carlos
Mark
I will miss seeing his name come up on my phone with a call or text to do some flying and release me from my normal day for one filled with the privileges of flying helicopters with one of the best
Thanks for the trust and friendship
RIP Carlos
Mark
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Godspeed on your final journey today Carlos....
Kev L
Edit: So sorry we couldn't make it to your send off mate...li'l "two eyes" (also known as "three eyes") became poorly right at the wrong time
RIP fella
Kev L
Edit: So sorry we couldn't make it to your send off mate...li'l "two eyes" (also known as "three eyes") became poorly right at the wrong time
RIP fella
Last edited by parasite drag; 11th May 2013 at 08:54.
Thread Starter
A superb turn-out from so many of Carl's aviation friends and colleagues. I'm sure your presence was very much appreciated.
The flypast, a 4-ship, in sunshine at the Crematorium,was magnificent. Thanks to Richard, Dan, Simon, and to Al. Al's idea of the 'Missing Man' manoeuvre on the second pass was inspired, and very poignant.
The flypast, a 4-ship, in sunshine at the Crematorium,was magnificent. Thanks to Richard, Dan, Simon, and to Al. Al's idea of the 'Missing Man' manoeuvre on the second pass was inspired, and very poignant.
Last edited by idle stop; 11th May 2013 at 13:03. Reason: typo
