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LEGEND of the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) is no more
with the death of Don Scott MBE on July 15, 2010.
Mr Scott,
from 2WG (AAFC) and RAAF Base Amberly, gave invaluable service
to the AAFC by teaching young cadets about gliding.
One of his
former cadets was DCAF AVMK Geoff Brown, who said his own love
of flying and passion for gliding was a direct result of his
time as a 2WG cadet in south-east Queensland.
"I
can say, without reservation, that the AAFC, its predecessor
the Air Training Corps (AirTC), the Air Force, Navy and Army
have all been the beneficiary of Don's remarkable and selfless
commitment over many years" AVM Brown said.
"I
have not forgotten the commitment of those staff who
contributed so much to my flying career. Without Don's
infectious drive, commitment passion and professionalism the
2WG AAFC gliding operations would not be as robust as they are
today".
Mr Scott
first got into gliding in 1970 and was trained as an
instructor by Gus Mauch, who later became the first gliding
instructor for the AirTC.
After
joining the the Kingaroy Club to take up gliding and train
young people, he decided to join the AirTC as an instructor
with the rank of FLTLT in the specialist reserve.
He
remained with the AirTC until his compulsory retirement in
1990 and in the process became the first chief instructor of
the AirTC Gliding School.
SQNLDR (AAFC)
Danny Hoyland said Mr Scott gave much of his knowledge and
time to the cadets, whom he treated as family.
"he
just loved instructing young people who wanted to learn how to
fly" he said. "cadets were beneficiaries of his
remarkable and selfless commitment to them over the years. He
also donated monies to enable disadvantaged cadets to achieve
their milestones".
SQNLDR
Hoyland said Mr Scott's contribution to AAFC gliding was
unsurpassed and after nearly two decades of training young
people to fly, many went on to careers in the ADF and
commercial aviation.
2WG AAFC
has recognised has recognised Mr Scott by commemorating a Don
Scott MBE medal for gliding excellence, which is presented to
the most proficient AAFGC gl;iding pilot each year.
"When
Don retired from the AAFC, it was an enormous loss and the
school struggled for many years aft5er his departure",
SQNLDR Hoyland said.
"He
was such an integral influence on the efficient runnning of
the gliding school".
In
September 2009, the AAFC honoured Mr Scott and Mr Mauch with
the naming of the new hangar at the Warwick aerodrome from
where the AAFC Gliding School now operates.
A memorial
service was held at St Paul's Cathedral Brisbane on 24-Aug-10,
followed by a wake at the United Services
Club. |
