Leicester helicopter crash: condolences thread
 

Leicester helicopter crash: condolences thread
 

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....c667d1a8f9.jpg

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).

Condolences to friends and family of all the deceased.

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.

In shock. I worked with them on the G550 out of Moscow - we spent a lot of time in the Marriott lounge way back when. Lovely people - a very sad day.

A rather good article in the 'Daily Mail' regarding Eric and Izabela:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...irlfriend.html

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.

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

Condolences.

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.

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

RIP Eric and Izzy. A truly lovely and inspirational couple.