Leicester helicopter crash: condolences thread
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 763
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From: Monrovia / Liberia
Leicester helicopter crash: condolences thread
Some other bloke along with Captain Eric Swaffer.
I personally knew Captain Eric Swaffer as a colleague & friend, wherein I flew with him relatively recently and he, likewise, recently renewed my B737 IR (in the sim).
He was both a superbly nice guy as well as being a massively experienced & capable chap... as the following details about him will likely attest:
FAA ATP with Rotary
EASA ATPL(A) and (H)
EASA TRE B737-300/900 (aircraft and simulator)
EASA TRE G550 - G450 (aircraft and simulator)
EASA TRE C560XLS (aircraft and simulator)
EASA TRE C550 (aircraft and simulator)
EASA TRE A109
EASA FI (A)
EASA FI (H)
Aeroplane Types: BBJ/B737, G550, G450, GV, GIV, HS125, C560XL, C550, C525.
Helicopter Types: A109, AW109, AW169, AS355, S76, AS332(L), SA341, R22, R44, B206.
UK CAA Nominated Postholder experience:
• Director of Flight Operations (initially in 1996)
• Head of Training (with TRE initially in 1998)
As I say, Eric was a thoroughly nice bloke as well as being a consummate, highly experienced, and thoroughly professional pilot of fixed-wing & rotary-wing flying machines.
I myself, just as I'm sure are others who knew him too as a friend & pilot, am stunned that Eric has been lost to us.
RIP
Ps. I know he was rather proud of that selfie he took with that other bloke in the pic (above).
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: London
Flew with Eric quite a few times on the Citation XLS, both in training and on the line and even after I left private jet flying for the airlines kept in touch with him. He was a larger than life character full of aviation stories and adventures travelling around the world with his partner and fellow professional pilot Izabela. Both really nice people. The mobile phone anecdote was so Eric. He was one of the best! RIP and blue skies ever more!
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: In the Moment
RIP
I can't quite beleive it. Izzy was my other crewmember in the SIM on more than one occasion and a thoroughly professional pilot and lovely person....doing so well....and having a great time with Eric. It is a sad day...RIP to you both.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 763
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From: Monrovia / Liberia
A rather good article in the 'Daily Mail' regarding Eric and Izabela:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...irlfriend.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...irlfriend.html
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 125
Likes: 6
From: Republic of Texas
Condolences to all who followed the Thai girl who was apparently onboard.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/former-be...124952749.html
Seemed to have a charmed life cut short in a most horrible way.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/former-be...124952749.html
Seemed to have a charmed life cut short in a most horrible way.
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1
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From: Aberdeen
Leicester helicopter crash: condolences thread
Hi,
I work for the Press and Journal newspaper in Aberdeen. Eric Swaffer used to work in Aberdeen for Bristow in the early 90s.
In an interview on Private Fly website, he said he took part in a rescue operation off Shetland.
Q What's your most memorable flight?
A It has to be winching an injured person on board a helicopter from a ship 100 miles north of the Shetland Islands, in 70 mph winds and deep swell.
I was hoping to write a tribute piece, but I need to know more about this mission, what was the date, which oil rig was the person airlifted from etc?
Bristow, the coastguard, P&J archivists and librarians, Balpa and HeliOffshore have been unable to help.
If anyone on this forum can shed any light on the incident off Shetland, feel free to get in touch via [email protected] or 07717702337.
Many thanks,
Mark Lammey
I work for the Press and Journal newspaper in Aberdeen. Eric Swaffer used to work in Aberdeen for Bristow in the early 90s.
In an interview on Private Fly website, he said he took part in a rescue operation off Shetland.
Q What's your most memorable flight?
A It has to be winching an injured person on board a helicopter from a ship 100 miles north of the Shetland Islands, in 70 mph winds and deep swell.
I was hoping to write a tribute piece, but I need to know more about this mission, what was the date, which oil rig was the person airlifted from etc?
Bristow, the coastguard, P&J archivists and librarians, Balpa and HeliOffshore have been unable to help.
If anyone on this forum can shed any light on the incident off Shetland, feel free to get in touch via [email protected] or 07717702337.
Many thanks,
Mark Lammey
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1
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From: Tromsø
I would just like to say that Eric taught me from scratch....initially on 206 then conversion on to 109....we flew together many many times. He was full of life,incredibly funny and a superb pilot. My life was literally in his hands on many occasions.I feel a huge sense of loss and sadness and will always remember our times together both in and out of my 109......thank you Eric and Godspeed.
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6
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From: FL450
I never flew with Eric but we were Moscow "crew mates." His and my lifestyles co-incided in a way I don't think he realised. He lived a different life to most. But we kept in contact always and although I never met Izabela I felt like I knew her just through following their lives on social media. I know they were moving forward with their relationship and for this to happen is so unjust. My thoughts are with you mate and in some way I hope you have peace with your girl. Tears, too many tears!
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: UK
I used to work for a PL club and still work in football. It’s a family where we all know each other (probably like aviation). I also know how dependent football is on the aviation industry for getting us around. Two industries united in grief. Rest in peace, and “God protect each lonely widow, and raise every drooping head” as the old song goes.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 66
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From: London ( once in a while )
My partner and I were privileged to know them both and their lives were so like our own we used to laugh about it. We were shocked and horrified when the accident we had been following with professional interest turned out to have take 2 superb friends and collegues. RIP guys.
Joined: Aug 1998
Posts: 19
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From: UK
Leicester helicopter crash: condolences thread
Eric you were one of the best and I thoroughly enjoyed our times in the cockpit together. Hopefully I managed to pass on something of value.
You certainly went on to inspire me with your positive attitude and what you were able to achieve in aviation.
Blue skies from now on dear friend
If anyone knows of funeral arrangements can they PM me please. I'd like to go and say goodbye properly.
Thanks
You certainly went on to inspire me with your positive attitude and what you were able to achieve in aviation.
Blue skies from now on dear friend
If anyone knows of funeral arrangements can they PM me please. I'd like to go and say goodbye properly.
Thanks