I received an E-mail today informing me of the passing of Mr. George Neal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoW4QzIERkw
A true legend of aviation. Test pilot for the Chipmunk and pretty much everything after that that was built at Downsview Ontario.
I had the pleasure to meet him a couple of times, including at his home, where I helped prepare a spare RR Kestrel engine for shipping.
Mr Neal was working on a Hawker Fury that has since move to Vintage Wings of Canada in Gatineau.
God speed sir.
Andy
By: DH82EH - 12th April 2016 at 21:30
This is a pretty poor cell phone photo of George taxying out for what would turn out to be his final flight.
I took it a few days after the induction dinner for the Canadian Aviation Museum Hall of Fame.
It was in June of 2015.
In the back seat is a mutual friend Les B.
I was speaking with Les this week. He told me that they took of from Toronto Pearson.
“The controller gave Gorge a heading and he nailed it. We were soon on a long final for Brampton and George just greased the landing”
Les said that George had an absolute touch and connection with the Chipmunk.
Blue skies and tail winds aviator
I feel honoured to have met Mr. Neal
Andy Scott
By: Maxim08 - 12th April 2016 at 13:57
Andy, thank you for posting this. George was my hangar neighbour at the Brampton Flying Club. I will certainly miss his weekly visits when he came out to fly his Chipmunk or the Hornet Moth. I wonder who mill now carry the mantle of ‘World’s Oldest & Still Flying Pilot’?
Regards
John
By: powerandpassion - 5th April 2016 at 00:13
Sorry to hear this; a full life, well lived.
Happy to see the Fury project move to a worthy custodian.
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April 4, 2016 at 7:13 pm