Thunder City mourns the loss of Pilot Dave Stock
In an official statement, Mike Beachy Head, CEO of Thunder City says, "We are all in a deep state of shock after the tragic accident during an airshow at the SAAF's TFDC base at Bredasdorp, where our close friend and colleague Dave Stock (46) lost his life last Saturday.
"Our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy go out to Dave's family on their bereavement and his untimely passing."
Beachy Head continues, "The full circumstances surrounding the cause of the accident are currently being investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), with our full co-operation and assistance. The enquiry is expected to take several weeks. An announcement will be made by the authority on the completion of their findings.
Beachy Head said that Dave Stock was a brilliant pilot, who had a highly accomplished record of flying many classes of aircraft. After serving with distinction on a Cheetah Squadron with the SAAF, Dave joined SAA and flew 737s and 747s, finally leaving the airline with the rank of Captain to pursue other aviation interests.
Dave Stock first flew one of Thunder City's iconic English Electric Lightnings in 1999, a year after the base was established at Cape Town International Airport. He was also certified to fly the Hawker Hunters and BAe Strikemaster at the base. Thunder City is renowned for having the largest fleet of ex-military jets in the world and has flown hundreds of civilian passengers over the past 11 years, establishing an impeccable safety record during that period. Thunder City has a dedicated team of professional aeronautical engineers to service and maintain its fleet of aircraft to the highest possible standards.
Beachy Head adds, "In 2005 Dave set an All Africa time-to-altitude record in a Thunder City English Electric Lightning T5 at the SAAF Ysterplaat Air Show, taking 102 seconds to reach 9,000 metres (30,000 ft) from a standing start. He was an exceptional pilot and was more recently involved at the SAAF's TFDC base at Bredasdorp, as the chief test pilot on the new Hawk trainer. Over the past decade he has performed in hundreds of airshows all over the country to the delight of thousands of spectators, who watched him perform breathtaking displays with consummate skill.
"Dave has been involved with Thunder City for the past 10 years and his loss is immeasurable and he is irreplaceable. We will greatly miss his dry sense of humour, cameraderie and his extraordinary knowledge of flying. He was a mild mannered, confident and highly skilled pilot, who was a true gentleman of the skies.
"We salute his courage and determination to survive until the end. We remember Dave as 'one of the few', who flew the Lightning to the lofty heights on the edge of the stratosphere, where the deep blue of space arches above while the curvature of the earth can be seen below. He will always be remembered with deep respect and admiration by all at Thunder City."
