Pilot dies in light aircraft crash south of Townsville

[Tomo]

Thanks for the update, I was, unfortunately not able to get away for the funeral but he will be forever remembered.

 

 

[ianwells]

 

For those that could not make it to the funeral on Monday, here is the Order of service.

 

Cheers

 

Ian

 

 

[ianwells]

 

And the inside.

 

 

[Robbo]

[ATTACH=full]39896[/ATTACH]And the inside.

Thank's Ian

 

 

[storchy neil]

Ross mate our discussions on safty I hope is not the reason that caught you out

 

RIP my friend

 

Neil

 

 

[farri]

In all the years I`ve been flying, I have never seen so many people respond as they have to Ross.....Ross lives on, in the heart of those who keep him in their thoughts.

 

Frank.

 

 

[fly_tornado]

the internet brings us all together

 

 

[planedriver]

the internet brings us all together

Yea! some good, some bad, but we probably wouldn't want it any other way.

 

 

[facthunter]

You would notice it's absence. Once we have things we tend to take them for granted. Can be a bit demanding and intrusive. Nev

 

 

[bull]

For once a media outlet actually writes a respectful article.

New

In a town of over 80000 people ,He did well . Not just a little paragraph in the funerals section, but a third of a page on the 4th page of the local rag to say goodbye,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,He was well known and respected Robbo and I think he would be very happy with the send off..........................

 

 

[farri]

Gay, Pud`s wife, has just sent me these two photos of Ross and I clowning around...Pud took them when he and Gay were up here, with their friends.

 

 

 

Frank.

 

 

[Robbo]

I am scared to ask what the hell is he doing with that piece of wood !!

 

 

[DGL Fox]

Looks like he was showing off his batting technique !!!!!

 

David

 

 

[Riley]

I am scared to ask what the hell is he doing with that piece of wood !!

The Maj being a qualified LAME/L2 and with the cowling off, I'd say he was using that special tool to adjust carb balance or perhaps ignition timing?

 

 

[SDQDI]

I am scared to ask what the hell is he doing with that piece of wood !!

That is Rotax's big secret.

Seeing as it is only the internet I could probably let the cat out of the bag.

 

The way to increase engine reliability is to threaten it with a big stick before each flight, actually if you use a big enough stick during the wear in period you can get a long term result and then it only requires you to cart around your calibrated fuel dipstick for satisfactory performance.

 

Also this is related to the difference between 2 and 4 strokes. It is a common misconception that their differences are related to mechanical differences when in reality it is how many clouts are given before each flight through the run in period. Which is actually the real reason that two strokes don't have the same reliability.

 

Ps that is tongue in cheek with no offence meant to any, also I don't condone violence towards any engine.

 

Those are certainly pics of good times Frank

 

 

[farri]

I am scared to ask what the hell is he doing with that piece of wood !!

You wouldn`t believe it, if I told you!!!! ......

 

Frank.

 

 

[Blueadventures]

I am scared to ask what the hell is he doing with that piece of wood !!

Its probably used to shoo the crocs and sandflies away while he di's under the bonnet:)

 

 

[Doug Evans]

In all the years I`ve been flying, I have never seen so many people respond as they have to Ross.....Ross lives on, in the heart of those who keep him in their thoughts.Frank.

Yes Frank He was special in his own way cheerful and friendly too all our Ross and the little bugger got around our big country in his drifter & Lightwing over the years !

 

 

[cooperplace]

My favourite aviation novel is "Fate is the Hunter", by Ernest K. Gann. In this memoir of the early days of transcontinental and then intercontinental aviation , his message was that many of his colleagues, highly talented aviators, had died tragically as a result of factors beyond their control. Our passion with flying is both majestic and fateful and we accept the risk for the magnificent obsession it is. RIP and we salute you Ross Millard. But for the sake of unknowable fortune we may join you. Don

thanks for the tip; I got Gann's book on kindle, only $11, and it's great, beautifully written and v enjoyable to read.

 

 

[bones]

Well just to prove that I live under a rock, I have been in the middle of the NT for the last near 2 years, and not much internet, it saddens me great to only just have learned of Ross's passing I had talked him a few times on varied matters.

 

I hope you still have blue skys and calm winds RIP Ross

 

 

[alf jessup]

Well just to prove that I live under a rock, I have been in the middle of the NT for the last near 2 years, and not much internet, it saddens me great to only just have learned of Ross's passing I had talked him a few times on varied matters.I hope you still have blue skys and calm winds RIP Ross

Yes Bones

A very sad loss with the passing of Ross

 

I met him in person about 3 years back while passing through Townsville and found him as a genuine nice bloke

 

Spoke to him many times after that on the phone

 

Sorry that you only just found out about his passing

 

 

[Powerin]

I apologise if this has been posted elsewhere, but I just came across the Coroner's report for this accident...released back in July 2018. Interesting to note that the Coroner is himself an RAA member and pilot and also holds a PPL.

 

Coroner's findings into the death of Ross Millard

 

 

[Kyle Communications]

Says file not found

 

 

[Garfly]

Try this:

 

https://www.courts.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/578010/nif-millard-r-20180723.pdf

 

 

[winsor68]

This is a really good and thorough report and I believe accurate.

 

When I flew to Natfly with Ross in his GR Lightwing he stated during discussion of engine failure procedures that the GR would turn on a dime in the event of engine failure and turning back would be high on the option list. In fact he pretty much described the manoeuvre the same way the witnesses did. I recall thinking not at this weight I hope as we were fairly loaded up with gear.

 

It struck me suddenly upon reading this...every pilot who has died in a light aircraft crash that I have known was flying someone else’s aeroplane.

 

RIP Ross.