Shawn Coyle RIP

[paco]

Looks like Shawn has gone to the great hangar in the sky - just saw it notified on Facebook.

Goodbye Shawn - and thanks for all the conversations over the years.

[aa777888]

Wow, that was sudden? Didn't he just recently ask for inputs on a new book?

[paco]

Yes, he did, but he has been quite ill for some time and passed away peacefully on the 19th - not screaming like his passengers (I know he would appreciate that).

I am just finishing a glass of Scotland's finest to his memory. I first met him over breakfast at Tesco in Northampton way back when and we had been collaborating ever since.

I wish I had been able to stick a flash drive in his ear and download all his knowledge - all that should not go to waste, but fortunately he has left a legacy of books that will be more than useful to the next generation of pilots.

[SASless]

Another good one taken far too young!

[Torquetalk]

Thanks for posting the news Paco. Sad to hear. Many are and will continue to be grateful to him for sharing his knowledge as he did.

[CRAN]

This is truly sad news. I'm saddened I never had the opportunity to meet him in person.

Rest in peace Shawn and thank you.

CRAN

[helihub]

After first meeting him at a Heli-Expo 35ish years ago, it was regularly evident to me that Shawn was widely respected for his knowledge. But what I will probably remember the most is that he was always generous with his time for others,

RIP Shawn.

[Senior Pilot]

That was not a post I expected. Very, very sad news and a huge loss to the Helicopter fraternity 😢

[Ascend Charlie]

I had a very enjoyable morning with Shawn at the Getty Museum back in 2003. Lovely guy, very knowledgeable.

[wrench1]

Shawn was the first industry expert to drop what he was doing and answer an obscure question from this aspiring mechanic. And he continued to do so when we would cross paths either at HeliExpo or various other places. Blue skies and tail winds.

[Sir Korsky]

that's awful news. A very passionate and fine rep for our industry. Blessings to his family.

[flight beyond sight]

It was an honour to have known him over the years and he will be sadly missed in this aviation world
Rest in peace

[Winnie]

Wow, stunned. Gutted really, very knowledgeable and helpful. I once asked for help with the meaning of Greek letters, he told me Iota is a very small thing...

RIP Shawn.

[diginagain]

Sad to learn of Shawn's passing. He was always willing to share his knowledge. RIP.

[212man]

Very sad news. I first met him at Helitech in 1989, where he was commentating on the air displays (the year the Russians came to town!). I had a few written exchanges later and bought the first edition of Cyclic and Collective directly from him. I was honoured when he sent me a CD with his updated edition, a few years later, and asked if I could make comments. Met a few times after at HAI. Really nice guy.

[roundwego]

Has an obituary been published? i’d like to read it.

[Rotorbee]

What a loss. I lost the bet to him - those who read his book know which one - and I wrote him that alas I was too far away, I would not be able to buy him a beer. Well, a few weeks later he was in my neck of the woods and I had to pay up. I spent a lovely evening with this humble gentlemen with good food and a few. Great guy, great stories and a huge knowledge about anything flyable.

Very, very sad. Someone should come up with a plan to continue his work with his books. That's a legacy we should all try to keep alive.

Will take a beer now in his memory.

[Phoinix]

A great loss to the helicopter world. I'm reading his texts all the time and fortunately his knowledge is to remain there forever. Rest in peace Shawn.

[Marv]

Shawn enriched our industry with thoughtfulness and applying the scientific method to improve it.

[Hot and Hi]

RIP. Shawn's books were most insightful and his approach was unconventional. His teachings had the single most significant influence in helping to become a more mature helicopter pilot.