By Joe Holmes

While in Angola in 2004 on the expedition to try and find the rare Giant Sable, we were guests of the Angolan Airforce, and they laid out the red carpet to transport us and our equipment to the search area deep in the interior.   We had the uncommon pleasure of being flown in one of their big MIL 8 transport choppers by a pilot whom we affectionately dubbed "The Major" in keeping with his rank.  He went out of his way to ensure that we were extremely well cared for while in his capable hands, and we enjoyed being regaled with some hair-raising stories from his operational flying years.  He was a consummate host and an officer and a gentleman in the finest way.  At the time of our trip he was the longest surviving helicopter pilot in the Angolan Airforce, and judging by the skill with which he deftly flew that big bird, it was easy to see why.

Sadly, I have to bring you the news that he and five crew members died in an accident last week, brought about by apparent mechanical failure of the aircraft he was piloting.  This brought to a close a long and illustrious career of flying in what must easily have ranked, for most of the period, as one of the most dangerous theatres of war.  To have survived being shot down on four separate occasions during the conflict was remarkable enough, and he avoided capture by Unita forces during two of those incidents by outrunning them on the ground, for some considerable distance, until he could be airlifted to safety by fellow pilots once clear enough of the groundfire zone.  It seems so tragic that a peace-time accident should then take his life whilst on the threshold of retirement.

If there is a big whirlybird hangar somewhere up there in the sky I'm sure he will be there, reunited with and chatting to old comrades once again.  Rest well Major.