Nick Boyd
 

just heard the sad news that Nick passed away on Koh Samui , Thailand , yesterday.

I will raise a glass of scotch to an old and bold and much respected helicopter aviator.

Hi Manky

Would that be the ex RN Nick Boyd?

That's really sad - he was a great character - we had some good times together with BAH at Beccles.

Hi Nigel.....yes , am sure that Nick was ex RN. I first met him years ago in Songkhla (Thailand) where he was retained on a regular basis by Unocal as their aviation auditor. Recall a couple of occasions when I had him in the jump seat of the 61 watching how we did it. He was always very fair and entirely pragmatic.
Later , after I moved to Cougar Helicopters in Koh Samui , we met again in the same role as auditor although by this time he was looking at retirement and had married Nicky.
Caught up with him again , socially , earlier last year when I was visiting Steve Birchall ...both he and Steve had become Koh Samui "locals" by then.
Always good for a chat and a laugh , and professionally , one of the more realistic auditors I have worked with.

Thanks Manky
I'm now sure he was ex RN as Hico-P is.
An amazing tail about one of his flights while a student in 705 at Culdrose. His instructor in a Whirlwind was flying from Culdrose to Predannack, a training field a few miles south at 500 ft. Nick asked what would happen if the Whirlwind lost its only hydraulics at cruise speed or faster. The instructor, whose name I won't mention, sped up & said I'll show you. Immediately on switching off the hydraulics, the Whirlwind went into a beautiful barrel roll, losing 500 ft in height & ran along a flat grass field at high speed with no obvious signs of damage. Unfortunately the wheel brakes were not the best & the machine came to a sudden stop when it hit a cornish "hedge". Both the seats broke off their mountings & the instrutor & Nick complete with the instrument panel on their laps, shot over the hedge & ended up sitting in the next field. The instructor calmly said well that's what happens at high speed & Nick equally calmly thanks him for his demo!!!
A sad loss for the industry.

Yes sad news.... ! knew Nick when he was Helicas ... did audits on our op in Azerbaijan... wild memories of vodka toasts with the Azal guys after an audit!

One of the originals in the helicopter industry and an absolute English Gentleman. Always a pleasure to work with, he will be missed I am sure.

HH

Nick Boyd
 

Mr Manktlelow
In case my email to you didn't get through, perhaps you would kindly give me some details of how you found out about Nick's death and any relevant details. I am organising a re-union luncheon in London for our flying training courses next week. Had a joke from Nick in the last few weeks.
I shall write to 'Nicki' (his second wife) in Koh Samui.
Aye
Chris Hodgkinson

Hello Chris

No , never received your email. I was advised of Nick's passing by Steve Birchall (Koh Samui resident , friend of Nick and Nicki , ex Okanagan pilot). I talked to him....I think it was on Tuesday or Wednesday and he said that Nicki was just arriving back on Samui from LHR. Perhaps you could contact him on [email protected] as he would be aware of the funeral arrangements.

Steve...if you are reading this , perhaps you could post the funeral arrangements as I know there are many who wish to know.

Regards..Peter

Nick Boyd
 

Don Courtney and I will pour a 'Nick' size G & T next week and toast our time in Helicas together. Learnt a lot from these two guys about the art of auditing and the role of the 'consultant' in our 'difficult-but-interesting' industry.

Nick had a robust sense of humour and enormous capacity for the social aspects of the job. Never the fan of DIY he once persuaded me that the best place to brain-storm a difficult asignment was his cottage in the Val du Lot but could I bring a box of woodworking tools 'just in case'. On arrival the briefcase was discarded whilst we built a new pergola over the veranda. Once complete I was wined and dined and the next day poured back into his XR3-coupe and we headed back to Uk and back to reality.

Sometimes it helps to get life's priorities in the right perspective.

Happy Times

:ok:

G

Nick will be cremated today (Sat) after a full buddist ceremony lasting 5 days,( I don't know what he would think about that!) He was a great character and will be sadly missed. He was wonderful to be audited by, I cannot imagine he ever found fault with anyone.
Nicky will be returning to the UK with his ashes within the next couple of days, I believe there will be a memorial service and I will post the location and date here when I receive it.

Nick Boyd
 

Thanks Mr Semi-Rigid

As I am not a regular visitor to PPRuNe, and for a rotatary enthusiast and former practioner have never looked at Rotorheads until prompted by a phone call from a chum about Nick's death yesterday, perhaps you could let me know directly when you ascertain the details for his memorial service -I do not have his sisters contact details.

The 97-100 course re-union luncheon next WED will be saddened by the news and will no doubt wish to hear the details also.

Thanks.

Chris Hodgkinson
[email protected]

Nick Boyd
 

He was one of these guys I have just met during audits over the years but, he made enough of an impression to last. a true gent. It's sad news.