FAREWELL AND FLY HIGH LANCE FLETCHER 1931 – 2009
Lance Fletcher, former chief engineer at the Royal Newcastle Aero club, born in 1931 – the same year as the De Havilland Tiger Moth sadly passed away after a long arduous illness.
Well known and highly respected in aviation circles – particularly for his contribution with his favourite aircraft, Tiger Moths – not only in the local Hunter region, but nationally and internationally, Lance leaves a significant void in the industry.
Since his early apprenticeship days at Royal Newcastle Aero club at Broadmeadow Lance signed off an almost unimaginable number of aircrafts, to keep pilots in the air and, more importantly, safe.
In 1996, Lance left the Royal Newcastle Aero club, with the idea of retiring, but his skills were much too valuable to pass up and he joined the Luskintyre Airfield, where he supervised the restoration of Tiger Moths and other vintage bi-planes.
Lance’s first big achievement was flying solo in 1953 and perhaps his next was marrying his wife Liz in 1955, after meeting her at a function at Royal Newcastle Aero Club. Liz had migrated from Germany and although spoke English, she soon learned the language of aviation call signs.
With a string of qualifications, experience, and licenses, Lance built a reputation somewhat of “the golden guru in the Tiger Moth world,” according to John Fisher, well known aviator who, with Lance’s contribution, helped him fly from London to Australia in a Tiger Moth.
Lance Fletcher’s professionalism, attention to detail, and passion for these bi-planes has been translated in restorations all over the world.
Lance’s sons will continue his interests with Tiger Moths; in particularly with one they are halfway to completion. Back in 2002, when Lance began to have trouble with his health, his sons decided he needed a distraction and this time a project of his own. After a road trip to Caboolture in Queensland, they returned with the parts of a Tiger Moth PVZ. Ironically Lance had previously worked on this aircraft on this previously after former owners had flipped it during his days at the Aero Club.
Just to keep his family on the project, Lance asked that his ashes be released from this particular bi-plane over Luskintyre airfield, where he has helped many others become airborne. He will of course be in good company along.
On Friday, 10 July 2009 Liz Fletcher, her four grown up lads, daughter, and 10 grandchildren farewelled Lance with a service and Tiger Moth Fly past of 6 Tiger Moths.
Aviators and members and friends of the Luskintyre Aviation Flying Museum and Ray Windred and his restoration team at Luskintyre will dearly miss him, but his spirit will keep flying in his workmanship in so many aircrafts he has restored.
Fly high Lance!
Of interest in Lance’s career:
- 1968 was a recipient of a Federation award in recognition of his outstanding service to the Royal Newcastle Aero Club.
- 1978 won the First Pride of Workmanship Award by Rutherford-Telarah Rotary
- Hornet Moth restored by Lance Fletcher, lead fly-past in world famous Oshkosh air show.
- 2002 inaugurated into the Luskintyre Hall of Fame
- 2007 the Australian Government Department of Defence medal for service with the Australian Defence Force.
Colour photo from Roby72’s Fllickr photostream used under Creative Commons licence
