MAIDEN Gully pilot Chris Gobel has been remembered as a "terrific friend" and a skilled aviator, after his death in a two aircraft crash at Mangalore on Wednesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bendigo Flying Club vice president Grant Welling said he was absolutely devastated to hear of the tragic loss.
"Chris was an iconic figure in the aviation industry around Bendigo. He was responsible for mentoring a lot of pilots throughout their careers," Mr Welling said.
"Chris was a true gentleman, and a very, very generous with his time."
Mr Welling said Mr Gobel had spent years as a check and training captain with Australian airlines.
Mr Gobel brought his experience to the light aircraft world on his retirement, Mr Welling said.
He learnt to fly at Moorabin, straight out of school, when it was still a grass field, Mr Welling said.
He'd spent the better part of 60 years flying, Mr Welling said.
Mr Gobel brought a high level of discipline and safety to the field, as a former Australian Airlines and Qantas Domestic pilot, Mr Welling said.
"As a mentor he set the bar very, very high when he trained people, and helped them along with their careers as aspiring pilots," Mr Welling said.
Mr Welling said Mr Gobel was involved with many people at Bendigo Flying Club professionally, but also as a terrific friend.
He himself had known Mr Gobel for nearly 30 years.
"He was a great bloke, he was always good fun to be around," Mr Welling said.
"He was good company, and very much involved in us as a community personally as well as professionally.
"We've lost someone who has contributed so much to us on a professional and personal level."
Mr Welling said his thoughts were with Mr Gobel's wife Wilma and son Martin.
The family has already lost one member to an aircraft crash, after son Anthony Gobel died in 2005.
Bendigo pilot Linda Beilharz also paid tribute to Mr Gobel on Thursday.
Many in Bendigo's flying community knew him, or trained under him, she said.
Ms Beilharz said the aviators appreciated Mr Gobel's crusty but humorous relationship with students.
She said the community respected Mr Gobel's experience and confidence.
The community was shocked about what had happened, she said.
"We knew him well, most of us have flown with him," Ms Beilharz said.
"He taught me to fly, and he taught many of us to fly."
Ms Beilharz said Mr Gobel was about to retire all together from flying.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.