Sandy
 

Today I received the very sad news that "Aviation"
lost one of the best ground instructors and one of the
greatest gentleman ever!

Sandy got me into ATA and with the help of his excellent team
managed to get me through the ATPL's in 1999/2000.
I owe him like countless other pilots out there a hell of a lot.
I am going to miss the storys he was telling us during class to keep us awake or while having a drink in The Mill.
A truly very sad day for aviation.

Rest in peace my friend.

My deepest respect and condolences to his family



Andi Hamer (Hong Kong)

:(

Sandy
 

Thank you Sandy for doing a job you obviously loved, for so long and so well.

Many of us benefitted from your prolonged career, your stories, your knowledge and your unique style. You dragged me to where I am now.

Lets break now for a dish of tea

ATA 1994

Sandy's family have asked us to thank everyone for the wonderful tributes and memories which have been posted on the site.

In accordance with their wishes, the following is released.

FOUNDER DIES BUT SCHOOL LIVES ON

It is sad news that Sandy Thomson, co founder of ATA – Air Training Services, died on 21st December 2003 after several months fighting against cancer.

Upon leaving the RAF after 17 years service he became an instructor at Oxford Training School. This led to jobs in Jordan and Trinidad, and in fact his ground school training expertise was enjoyed around the world including Malaysia, Cyprus and Florida. Returning to England he taught at Bournemouth and White Waltham before setting up ATA at Bagington near Coventry in 1992 with Pete Lines. ATA students benefited from his vast professional knowledge and upon learning of his death, numerous former students posted very kind remarks on www.pprune.com. Sandy had an incredible knowledge of aviation, and along with the other instructors at ATA was able to teach ground school to hundreds of successful students.

Sandy will be sadly missed at ATA, but his legacy lives on as they proceed to take the next students though JAAs.

Sandy
 

Quite simply one of the most interesting and amusing men I've ever had the pleasure to meet and be taught by.
Good bye King of Perf. A.
R.I.P.
You will be missed!