Ray Lynskey

[Gavin Conroy]

This morning Ray’s partner came in to work to let me know that Ray Lynskey had passed away at 7.15am this morning.
He has been ill for the past few weeks and it is sad to loose one of our great pilots.

I have known Ray for 20 years and have had some great times and his airshow displays were always first class.

I remember going out with a couple of other guys to pick Ray up following an out landing and we ended up dismantling the glider in a lightning storm which was a worry but quite spectacular at the same time.
Seeing the large trophy he won at the World Champs and his 2000km distance flight were huge triumphs indeed and showed the immense skill that Ray possessed.

My best memory though would be when Ray was practicing for an attempt on the 2000km flight.

A few of us helped Ray put his glider together at around 9.00am on a Sunday morning and shortly afterwards he was towed skywards and soon disappeared.
At around 6.30pm we were having a beer at the bar when Ray returned from his flight and he flew a terrific display over the airfield.
We were amazed as he had been in the air for over 8 hours and at one point was flying at 29000 ft.

I am sure you all have your fond memories of Ray.
Not the easiest post to type but thought I would let you guys know.

If you would like details regarding his funeral please email me.

Rest in peace Ray, we will miss you my friend.

Here are a few photos I have taken over the years and will dig out some more.

[Dave Homewood]

My goodness, that's very sad. He was a real legend and will be missed.

RIP.

[corsair67]

This is very sad news, and a great loss to NZ gliding.

[Deleted]

I was fortunate to meet Ray when I was living in Blenheim, and am very shocked to hear of his passing I have seen his gliding display at at least one Omaka show in person and on the DVDs, and they are a joy.

All my best wishes to the Lynskey family, and blue skies to you Ray.

[flyjoe180]

I bumped into the air ambulance crew which was carrying Ray during a transfer a few weeks back when he became ill. I am sad to read that he has passed away. RIP.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Gliding champ, Ray Lynskey dies

The Marlborough Express | 12:00 NOON - Thursday, 20 August 2009

Former world gliding champion Ray Lynskey, of Marlborough, has died, aged 54, after a short illness.

The well-respected member of the aviation fraternity became world champion in 1995 in Omarama, Otago.

Mr Lynskey was also the first glider pilot to complete a 2000- kilometre non-stop flight. In 1990, he flew from Woodbourne Airport to Lumsden in Southland, then to Wairoa in Hawke's Bay and back to Blenheim. His Nimbus 2B glider covered 2026km in 15 hours that day, at an average speed of 135kmh at heights of up to 28,500ft.

Marlborough Gliding Club vice-president Mike Dekker said Mr Lynskey's illness was a great shock to the gliding world.

"Ray has been a great inspiration to many, many people through the years," he said.

"It's sad to see him go."

Mr Dekker said Mr Lynskey had recently increased the amount of gliding he was doing.

"We were all expecting great achievements from him."

Mr Lynskey was a trend-setter among the international glider fraternity. He pushed the limits, but did not take undue risks.

"He was someone who kept to himself, but he was a deliberate and methodical person in terms of setting his goals and he worked steadily towards them.

"He was a measured sort of a pilot. He didn't take risks. He was careful and calculating."

Mr Lynskey was a Marlborough Gliding Club committee member and its chief tow pilot. He recently sold a hangar to the club, which Mr Dekker said had helped the club.

His funeral will be held at his hangar at Omaka Aerodrome at 1.30pm on Saturday.

www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/2771344/Gliding-champ-Ray-Lynskey-dies

[Dave Homewood]

Had he left the RNZAF or was he based at Woodbourne?

[Gavin Conroy]

Hi Dave,
He left the RNZAF in late 80s or early 90s from what I remember.
Ray went on to airline flying as well with airlines like Sounds Air and was an Air NZ Captain on the 1900D aircraft as well.

He set up some vineyards as well which I helped out with so over the past few years we were more into vineyard talk rather than flying talk.
He really enjoyed working with grapes and wine.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Gavin. He was still in the RNZAF when I was in in the 1990's. I recall him being written up in various RNZAF magazines as Sgt Ray Lynskey when he was breaking records.

[shorty]

RNZAF SGT Raymond Lynskey Q85574 Aircraft Technician 8 Jan 1973 to 15 July 1993

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Shorty, he left a few months before I did then.

[baz62]

My ex RNZAF friend at work knew Ray when he was in the Air Force and told me this morning. I never knew him but certainly knew of him and his achievements Nice photo tribute Gavin.

[Radialicious]

I first became aware of Ray Lynskey when I saw his frequent photos in NZ Wings as a teenager in the 1980's. As one of the many twists of fate that linked us over the years, Ray was my first boss in the RNZAF after I completed my junior trade training. We served at No. 104 Flight until its disbandment in 1990. On October 27th 1990, the Marlborough Aero Club had a flyathon that encouraged as many members to do two takeoffs and landings in the space of 24 hours. Ray did the two touch and goes in his glider. In the mid-90's he joined Soundsair as a Caravan pilot. I saw a lot of Ray over the years at Omaka. After I made the leap into commercial flying it was a memorable day on 25th March 2005 when we both crewed a Beech 1900 from WB-AA-KK-AA-WB. I flew with Ray many, many times before I moved to the left seat. He was one of the most devoted, disciplined and knowledgeable pilots you could work with. I flew to Hokitika from Chch yesterday and recounted one of the flights that we did a few years ago. At top of descent, he set 1000 foot-pounds of torque, down from the 3000 that we cruise at, on both engines and managed the energy of the B1900 so that the power levers weren't touched again until the flare. Most pilots are all over the power levers on descent to manage speed, rate of descent and profile. On this day it was a pleasure to watch. Some of his characteristics were legendary amongst those that knew him and you had to know him to appreciate them.
It's a shame that we won't see what he could have achieved if this hadn't happened.

RIP Ray