Lightning down at FAOB - Condolences & Tributes

[Short_finals]

We will miss you Dave.....TC and our SA airshows will never be the same without you again....We salute you !!

Dave taxiing out from TC apron for a sortie in the same ill-fated ZU-BEX a few years ago...spoke to him a few times at TC...a humble modest man never too important to chat "aviation" with us mere mortals...

Also fondly remember him requesting "startup " flying ZU-ATH ( Bucc) out of FACT...and making some awesum low and fast flypasts ...

Coenie

[jumbo1]

RIP Dave
you will be sorely missed by all who knew you. Condolences to all friends and family
I'm sure I speak for all of Pupes Course 2/84.

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
No 412 squadron, RCAF
Killed 11 December 1941

[Trinity]

Don't you wish - just sometimes - that you could turn back the clock and those whom we've lost (and the aircraft that have gone down) could be with us once again?

Thank you to all our aviators who've shrugged off the 'surly bonds', for the joy you brought us in your time.

Sincere, heartfelt condolences to family, friends and colleagues

Trinity

[Christopher]

Don't you wish - just sometimes - that you could turn back the clock and those whom we've lost (and the aircraft that have gone down) could be with us once again? Thank you to all our aviators who've shrugged off the 'surly bonds', for the joy you brought us in your time

What a nice thing to say! I cannot imagine it put any better...

[bluesmancoops]

praying for peace to the family - sad loss Dave

[PJL]

From News 24

............A memorial is being planned to take place on Saturday or Sunday. Further details will be made available at a later stage.

PJL

[Maktab]

RIP Dave.

We lost a great man on Saturday. I did not know him personally, only from afar as an appreciative watcher of his wonderful displays, but it's clear that Dave was held in extraordinarily high esteem, both as a person and a pilot, by all who had been fortunate enough to know him.

Condolences to his family, my prayers are with them.

[eitai2001]

Missing Man formation for Dave Stock:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wqWJLUmK1Y

RIP Dave!

[Makoppa]

R.I.P.

[trimotor]

From the Hermanus Times - www.hermanustimes.co.za

19/11/2009 11:03 AM - (SA)
'If there is a way I could die...'
Janine van der Riet



“If there was a way I could die...” was the sentence Dave Stock (46) never had time to complete before his plane crashed in a ball of fire.

The internationally renowned pilot from Hermanus was killed in a plane crash on Saturday during the Overberg Air Show near Bredasdorp.

It is suspected that the Electric Lightning fighter plane that Stock was flying encountered serious hydraulic problems.

Shortly before the crash Stock told air traffic controllers he was experiencing problems with the plane.

In his last message to the control tower he said: “It was a pleasure flying with everyone. To my family and children, tell them I love them. If there was a way I could die...” According to a family friend, Kyle Dods, Stock never completed his last sentence. Stock's ex-wife, Debbie, said while they were married she didn't want to attend air shows because she was always afraid something might go wrong.

“In one year, Dave lost seven colleagues in plane crashes and it terrified us that it could happen to him.”

Debbie said they have always been an incredibly strong family and the fact that he died living his passion is a comfort to them.

“He always said if he goes, he wants to go out with a big bang.”

According to Debbie she sent him an SMS hours before his tragic death, which read: “Enjoy the air show, safe flying,” with a smiley face at the end of the message.

When the family first received news about the accident, she sent him another SMS stating: “Dave, I hope you are still alive. All my love, Debs.” She never received a reply.

Debbie and her 21-year old son, Gareth, initially received conflicting messages regarding the accident.

“We had many calls and all the stories were different. Some said he was dead, others said they are searching for him after he ejected, but we did not know whether he did eject, or went down with the plane.”

After hours of waiting and not knowing what happened Gareth phoned a friend who attended the air show.

“His friend broke down in tears and another person had to take the call and tell Gareth that his father was indeed killed,” Debbie said.

Their youngest son, Greg, could not believe his father was dead. “Dave Stock does not die. It can't be. Dave Stock does not die,” Greg said after learning of his father's death.

Greg, a matric learner at Hermanus High, continued his exams this week to make his family proud during this trying time. In a tribute to his dad, he wrote on the social networking site Facebook: “You will live on forever in our memories, as far as we were all concerned you were invincible and will remain this way in our lives forever. We will love you forever and for always Dad. Our memories of you will live on forever, go well Bugalags.”

Dave also leaves his girlfriend of the past three years, Chelaine Albertse behind.

[Snoopy]

I've shared this with others via PM during this week...and thought I would share it now...

If you're struggling to let go...I hope these words bring peace and calmness.

John Eldredge writes. "There is a secret set within each of our hearts. It is the desire for life as it was meant to be"...

Dave lived the desires of his heart even though he died doing just that....many of us never live our passions, sometimes because its just not attainable although we long for it.

Dave was fortunate to actually live it.

I don't know how many of you that where at the air show have considered that if Dave had turned toward us from base leg on 28 in an aircraft struggling to maintain attitude and direction.....its plausible many of us who where there; may not be here today.

To say that Dave was an extraordinary pilot...is an understatement.

I left TFDC with gratitude and awe of this pilots exceptional skill under trying circumstances... He will never be forgotten.

We had opportunity to bare witness to a person that lived the desires of his heart, all the way to the very end...that alone is a rare gift.

Never stop pursuing the desires of your heart. Carpe diem.

We have reason to celebrate his life and to be grateful for having shared in his passion.

[GL]

Gentlemen and perhaps ladies,

Taking a breather from the tragedy and speculation

It is public knowledge now that on Sunday at Dave's house,
there shall be a celebration of his life! (and what a life)
This I am told shall be from 1500-2300

I am aware that many live far from Hermanus and might like to attend?
This being almost holiday season, getting a place to stay might
be difficult?

His home is just a couple of minutes drive from mine in Hermanus
so, if anyone would like to stow their kit, go to his home, meet
and pay tribute etc. stay over at mine on Sunday night etc.
Then anyone is welcome! If it eases a bit of stress on what shall
be a difficult enough day then I am glad if I can help a bit!

I have limited beds but plenty of floor space, sofa, sleeper couch
and the usual! I can take about 10 but can adjust a bit
should the situation require just that?
Sleeping bags would be useful!

I would ask if you would like to do this, then please PM me
and also would prefer no one here before 1200 on Sunday!
From there you can shower, change, relax a bit etc. before
going to the house for 1500

I am going to post this on other boards so please take note
this is a first come first serve type offer! If I had a 400 room
hotel, then I assure you, it would be open to everyone!

Fly safe and I trust Sunday is truly a fitting tribute
to Dave Stock!

Regards
Andrew Brooks
'Snapshot'