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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 31, 2014 9:32:38 GMT 12
I think it is worthwhile mentioning here, apparently the well known ag pilot Derek Williams of Tauranga retired this week after 60 years in agricultural aviation. The first five years as a loader/driver and 55 years as a pilot. A remarkable career span for any pilot, but in the world of low level precision agricultural flying this must surely be a record?
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Post by Kereru on Jan 31, 2014 11:34:42 GMT 12
I think it is worthwhile mentioning here, apparently the well known ag pilot Derek Williams of Tauranga retired this week after 60 years in agricultural aviation. The first five years as a loader/driver and 55 years as a pilot. A remarkable career span for any pilot, but in the world of low level precision agricultural flying this must surely be a record? On practice day Tauranga Air Show.   Great achievement! Cheers, Colin |
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Post by baronbeeza on Jan 31, 2014 12:38:51 GMT 12
That is simply amazing.
To have remained in the industry since it's earliest days and then to have continued beyond 'normal' retiring age is quite an achievement. Well done and enjoy the 'retirement'.
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weheka
Squadron Leader
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Post by weheka on Jan 31, 2014 19:05:33 GMT 12
Definitely a master of his trade, well done.
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Post by The Red Baron on Jan 31, 2014 19:45:08 GMT 12
local news story...... here |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 31, 2014 19:49:36 GMT 12
Has anyone got more details of the aircraft he wrote off in Cambridge? It seems a lot of topdressers have crashed round here!
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Post by lovethe400noise on Jan 31, 2014 20:29:35 GMT 12
was zk-lay.
Was a quiet, great farewell 4 derek this arvo. He is a gentleman :-)
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fadge
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 81
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Post by fadge on Jan 31, 2014 20:32:36 GMT 12
was zk-lay. Was a quiet, great farewell 4 derek this arvo. He is a gentleman :-) And I didn't get an invite! |
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Post by starr on Jan 31, 2014 20:48:45 GMT 12
Sorry John. I was there. A great achievement. Certainly a great aircraft he had for the last few years.
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Post by lovethe400noise on Jan 31, 2014 20:52:41 GMT 12
:-)[/quote]And I didn't get an invite!uote]
I emailed it 2 u... :-)
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Post by kwieldraayer on Feb 1, 2014 16:08:32 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 1, 2014 17:48:41 GMT 12
Great photos, good to see the end of his career marked with a decent send off.
I'd like to interview Derek for the WONZ Show someday. I am sure after that length of time he must have a lot of interesting stories to tell.
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Post by kiwibeavers on Feb 1, 2014 18:36:15 GMT 12
I wonder how many hours he has clocked up?? Derek at Tauranga last Saturday 25th January 2014  |
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Post by lovethe400noise on Feb 1, 2014 18:58:19 GMT 12
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Post by The Red Baron on Feb 1, 2014 19:05:12 GMT 12
Its a bit sad too the Fletcher has left Tauranga,theres been aerial topdressing planes based here continuosly since 1949.In the 1960-70s there was around 7-8 Fletchers operating out of Tauranga.End of an era for aerial topdressing here.
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 2, 2014 13:38:39 GMT 12
What a remarkable achievement, and I hope Derek enjoys every minute of his retirement. I reckon Super Air should just let him keep ZK-JAA, instead of giving him a gold watch!  One of the articles I read about Derek's career said he's flown 32 000 hours. |
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Post by noooby on Feb 7, 2014 13:30:36 GMT 12
Go fly Harvard 91 Derek, you have the time now!!  I probably owe him a cigar or two over the years too . Always happy, always smiling, and always good for a story or two. Shame ZK-BII (The Pirate) isn't still around at Tauranga. I think that is the Fletcher he is most associated with. |
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nosig
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 95 
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Post by nosig on Feb 7, 2014 14:07:56 GMT 12
Looking forward to seeing the Harvard more frequently in the skies at the Mount! That said, she's certainly no hangar queen!
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