Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:38 am
This update on Howard was posted on the Vintage Wings of Canada web site.
http://www.vintagewings.ca/page?a=1149&lang=en-CA
http://www.vintagewings.ca/page?a=1149&lang=en-CA
Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:14 pm
Left this message through the link provided on the site. Mr. O'Malley told me it will be sent to his wife and him. Niiiice !
Dear Howard,
We have met a few times before. We spoke together at both the Classic Air Rallye and Vintage Wings' Open House events where I flew in with my ol' C-140. I even had the immense privilege to park it right next to Vintage Wings aircraft ! Our conversations were brief but truly enjoyable and I learned a lot from you in a very short time !
I learned of your accident like everybody else, with dismay and incredulity. It is a sobering reminder that flying our classic old airplanes has a built-in risk factor that we learn to mitigate, but that never totally goes away.
I was releived to read on Vintage Wings web site that although you were seriously injured, your recovery is already underway. It will surely not be easy but know that the thoughts and prayers of a great many of us who had the pleasure of talking with you, even if briefly, are with you, your family and your friends in these hard times.
Rest, take it easy and we shall see you again around Vintage Wings magnificient aircraft, commenting the show like no one else. I am looking forward to walk to you again, shake your hand and share our passion of flying.
CAVOK
Michel Charette, Sainte-Therese, QC
Owner of 1948 Cessna 140 C-GNCJ
Dear Howard,
We have met a few times before. We spoke together at both the Classic Air Rallye and Vintage Wings' Open House events where I flew in with my ol' C-140. I even had the immense privilege to park it right next to Vintage Wings aircraft ! Our conversations were brief but truly enjoyable and I learned a lot from you in a very short time !
I learned of your accident like everybody else, with dismay and incredulity. It is a sobering reminder that flying our classic old airplanes has a built-in risk factor that we learn to mitigate, but that never totally goes away.
I was releived to read on Vintage Wings web site that although you were seriously injured, your recovery is already underway. It will surely not be easy but know that the thoughts and prayers of a great many of us who had the pleasure of talking with you, even if briefly, are with you, your family and your friends in these hard times.
Rest, take it easy and we shall see you again around Vintage Wings magnificient aircraft, commenting the show like no one else. I am looking forward to walk to you again, shake your hand and share our passion of flying.
CAVOK
Michel Charette, Sainte-Therese, QC
Owner of 1948 Cessna 140 C-GNCJ
Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:08 pm
I had some unexpected free time last Saturday, so I visited the Vintage Wings hangar to get a look at the Tiger Moth. I took a number of walk-around photos and have posted them in my a Webshots album, accessible via here...
Aerial Visuals - Vintage Wings of Canada - DH-82
If you are interested in a history of this airframe go here...
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - de Havilland-deHavilland Tiger Moth DH-82C, s/n 8869 RCAF, c/n 1671, c/r CF-DHQ
This pictures were posted with the blessing of Vintage Wings Marketing and Communications Manager, Dave O'Malley, on the condition I not use them for the purpose of speculation of the cause of the accident. Feel free to take a look at pics, but please refrain from commenting on the cause. When the investigation report is made public I will post a link here.
Mike
P.S. When Dave O'Malley pubishes an update regarding Howard's recovery Steve or I will like post the link here.
Aerial Visuals - Vintage Wings of Canada - DH-82
If you are interested in a history of this airframe go here...
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - de Havilland-deHavilland Tiger Moth DH-82C, s/n 8869 RCAF, c/n 1671, c/r CF-DHQ
This pictures were posted with the blessing of Vintage Wings Marketing and Communications Manager, Dave O'Malley, on the condition I not use them for the purpose of speculation of the cause of the accident. Feel free to take a look at pics, but please refrain from commenting on the cause. When the investigation report is made public I will post a link here.
Mike
P.S. When Dave O'Malley pubishes an update regarding Howard's recovery Steve or I will like post the link here.
Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:59 pm
Thanks for keeping us up to date Mike.
Cheers Dave C
Cheers Dave C
Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:21 pm
mrhenniger wrote:I had some unexpected free time last Saturday, so I visited the Vintage Wings hangar to get a look at the Tiger Moth. I took a number of walk-around photos and have posted them in my a Webshots album, accessible via here...
If you are interested in a history of this airframe go here...
These pictures were posted with the blessing of Vintage Wings Marketing and Communications Manager, Dave O'Malley, on the condition I not use them for the purpose of speculation of the cause of the accident. Feel free to take a look at pics, but please refrain from commenting on the cause. When the investigation report is made public I will post a link here.
Mike
P.S. When Dave O'Malley pubishes an update regarding Howard's recovery Steve or I will like post the link here.
Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:38 pm
EDIT
Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:40 pm
A short update via Dave O'Malley...
I hope to visit him this weekend.
Mike
As many of you now know, Howard is on the road to recovery - he is out of intensive care, fitted with a brace for his back and is doing quite well despite the immense amount of pain he faces. Typical British determination and grit.
I hope to visit him this weekend.
Mike
Mon Sep 07, 2009 6:21 pm
I spent an hour with Howard this morning in the hospital. He is in very good spirits. He is planning his recovery down the finest details. What would you expect from a careful pilot and one who likes to put on a good show? 
His injuries were severe, but with the help of physiotherepy he has been up and "walking" although he really can't put any weight on his right leg. Not bad for a guy that had back surgery. He also has a couple of nice shiners under his eyes, he sort of looks like an enforcer hockey player, except he has his teeth! Today the goal was to sit upright for lunch, and I have no doubt he pulled it off.
Howard and Peta hope to be able to work a plan out with the hospital and his hospital back home so that he can be transported to the UK and continue his recovery there in a much more familiar setting.
Mike
His injuries were severe, but with the help of physiotherepy he has been up and "walking" although he really can't put any weight on his right leg. Not bad for a guy that had back surgery. He also has a couple of nice shiners under his eyes, he sort of looks like an enforcer hockey player, except he has his teeth! Today the goal was to sit upright for lunch, and I have no doubt he pulled it off.
Howard and Peta hope to be able to work a plan out with the hospital and his hospital back home so that he can be transported to the UK and continue his recovery there in a much more familiar setting.
Mike
Last edited by mrhenniger on Tue Sep 08, 2009 7:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mon Sep 07, 2009 6:47 pm
Sounds like good news. A longs ways to go, but well on the mend. Reminds me of Douglas Bader. After his accident, the docs told him that if he worked hard at it, he would be able to walk with a cane. He refused THAT saying he would not just walk, he would dance WITHOUT a crutch or cane! He did that and more. Determination and strength of will are an important part of healing!
Mon Sep 07, 2009 7:19 pm
Excellent news Mike.
See you in a few weeks at the VWoC home base.
Cheers Dave C
See you in a few weeks at the VWoC home base.
Cheers Dave C
Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:21 pm
Thanks for the updates Mike. If you see Howard again, give him our best wishes from down under.
Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:36 pm
EDIT - Sorry everyone. There was something wrong with the link. Howard is doing well. I saw him on Sunday and he was sitting upright for the visit. They are trying to work out when he will be going home. He doesn't want his condition to distract from the open house / airshow this upcoming Saturday. See you there!
Mike
Mike