I lost a friend today...

[enigma]

A man is known by the company he keeps.

All of your tributes speak well of the deceased and yourselves. You have honored him well.

sadly,
8N, born 40 years ago in Denton Texas

 

[bobbysamd]

Condolences

I always hate to hear stories about pilots augering in. It makes it that much tougher when it's someone you know. It's happened to me twice - one was someone I had known since I was six.

So sorry for your loss.

 

[ILLINI]

My prayers go out to his family, friends, and loved ones.


God bless.

 

[gundriver]

God Bless You, We're going to miss you....

 

[FL717]

We all have alot of fights and fun on this board, but it really hurts and hits hard when I hear of something like this happening, especially someone whom you read their posts.

I remember my C-402 days..(nights actually), and it makes this seem even closer to home, all the night single pilot 135 freight pilots know what I'm talking about. Be careful!

My heart goes out to his family and friends... God Bless.

 

[dogg]

Godspeed my little brother, Godspeed.......... and for all who knew and loved you may they know now that you have received the call that we will all get one day. Best of luck on your new venture and stop back by if and when you can.........

 

[TDTURBO]

Well-said Eagleflip,

This news knocks the wind out of me, although I didn't have the pleasure of knowing this man, I am terribly sorry for his friends and families loss.

Unfortunately, I too have lost many close friends because of our past time, it never gets any easier.

Why do competent, careful, experienced people, consistently die?

I pray there comes a day when we can mitigate our risk to an acceptable level. As it stands, the losses never seem to make sense. At the general aviation level, flying is as dangerous as motorcycling. We all strive to be the best at what we do and still, this happens all to frequently. What gives?


My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.............

 

[dsee8driver]

Thoughts and prayers...

My thoughts and prayers go out to him, his family and friends....
As I was building my time at OPF I too was helped along by great friend who I lost alongside his son. I will never forget the gut feeling as I watched from the taxiway his airplane go in. God bless!

 

[PilotoHalcon]

"Flying West"

FLYING WEST

I hope there's a place, way up in the sky
Where pilots can go when they have to die.
A place where a guy could buy a cold beer
For a friend and a comrade whose memory is dear.
A place where no doctor or lawyer could tread,
Nor a management-type would e'ler be caught dead!
Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke.
The kind of a place that a lady could go
And feel safe and secure by the men she would know.

There must be a place where old pilots go,
When their wings become heavy, when their airspeed gets low,
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And songs about flying and dying are sung.
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd 'flown west' before,
And they'd call out your name, as you came through the door,
Who would buy you a drink, if your thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"

And there, through the mist, you'd spot an old guy
You had not seen in years, though he'd taught you to fly.
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear
And say, "Welcome, my Son, I'm proud that you're here!
For this is the place where true flyers come
When the battles are over, and the wars have been won.
They've come here at last, to be safe and alone,
From the government clerk, and the management clone;
Politicians and lawyers, the Feds, and the noise,
Where all hours are happy, and these good ol' boys
Can relax with a cool one, and a well deserved rest!
This is Heaven, my Son. You've passed your last test!"


— Captain Michael J. Larkin, TWA (Ret.), 'Air Line Pilot' magazine, February 1995.

 

[hyper]

My condolences.


It was actually a 210, registration #402ME