TAL-AIR
 

I still have the newspaper clippings from December 1987. I was working with Blades Helicopters Stansted at the time.

I took a call, enquiring about helicopter charter to view some golf courses near Leicestershire. Our aircraft at the time was JetRanger G-RODS, which was not available on the day requested, so I suggested that they contact Uncle Ian at TAL-AIR :O

The aircraft concerned was G-OLDN, 206L.

The following year, I went to work with TAL-AIR (Thurston Aviation) until 1992 went it ceased trading.

Uncle Ian, if you are reading this, please send me a PM. I have some photos of you with LRII and G-OLDN, collected before the doors were locked to the offices in February 1992.

XTEC

Just for the record....

I have noted 36 prison meets helicopter moments since the mid-1970s and 24 of the incidents have been successful [if short lived] as far as getting the person out of clink.

So it works and requires a credible deterrence put in place. I am aware the UK started to set up defensive measures as early as 1963 so, with the one blip, it seems to have worked.

Reading the failed attempt in Greece I can only thank my lucky stars that we don't arm our prison guards.

I was, indeed, left handcuffed to B206L1 G-OLDN although the hijackers wanted to take me with them. I have always believed that I wasn't shot because they wanted a hostage. I managed to persuade the guy who hijacked me in the first place that leaving the controls with the rotors running would kill us both. Where that came from at that time I have no idea. Survival instincts I guess.

A great escape
 

Uncle Ian ... now that's what I call really quick thinking ... and maybe not too far from the truth since with cyclic friction free, the B206 rotors can easily flap down to head height.

I used your idea when I wrote a description of main rotor blades coming into contact with a human head in the final chapter of my aviation novel. I still don't like reading it to this day! Dennis K.

And for me confirmation that Uncle Ian introduced me to helicopter flying! Thank you. :D
2S

Yes 2 sticks but where did he introduce you ?did you pay money or threaten him with a gun ? LOL