Vale, Adrian Stoffels.

[chook]

Dear Members,
It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of a long time ASRA member and contributor, Adrian Stoffels, which was completely unexpected when he sustained a fall in his hangar causing severe head injuries. Somewhat fittingly his last flight was in the emergency helicopter to Royal Perth Hospital. This is an email sent to the members of the SLACWA club 24 hours after his fall.

Adrian was a life member of the Superlight Aircraft Club of WA. On behalf of the committee, our deepest sympathies are with Adrian's family, friends and loved ones.
Adrian was truly an extraordinary man and it is impossible to overstate the magnitude of his contribution to our Club, ASRA and sport aviation throughout Australia. His influence was also felt internationally with gyros, engines and propellers predominantly in Germany, New Zealand, USA, England and Poland. His legacy personifies the very best qualities of humanity and is clearly evident in the infrastructure and vibrant community that makes our Club.
It was only yesterday morning that Adrian was doing what he loved best - flying. He flew north to Wongan Hills to return safely to his hangar. It is difficult to accept that he has departed and we are now the custodians of some of his vast knowledge of aviation which he freely shared with us.
I know this is an enormous loss to all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be sorely missed.
The club is in contact with Adrian's family via Wayne Fowler as they have requested. Wayne can be contacted on 0429 373 404.
We will pass on further information as it comes to hand.
Kind regards.



Regards....Chook.

[RickE]

Well said Chook, deepest condolences to his family and friends. A tough time for all of us, particularly those of us that knew him well.

[hatrack]

Living in Qld, I only met Adrian once, but spoke too him many times when he was the Technical Manager.
At the Nationals in Wongan Hills, he offered to help lengthen the tail feathers of my gyro, within the limited time I had in WA, knowing that it would take several days of his time. He was a wealth of knowledge, and the gyro community will miss him. Condolences to his family, who I met there. RIP mate.

[chook]

Adrian Stoffels’ last flight.
The Superlight Aircraft Club of Western Australia will be proudly co-hosting with the Stoffels family a Last Flight Ceremony for the late Adrian Stoffels, for his many friends at our airfield located at 2944 Dewars Pool Road, Bindoon in Western Australia. The ceremony will begin at 11:00am on the 22^nd of June, 2024.
We plan to have a RAAF blue Ensign Military Flag ceremony followed by a scattering of his ashes along our runway from his Zenith 750 aircraft. Light refreshments will be supplied at the conclusion of the ceremony where old friendships can be rekindled and stories shared.
Visitors are reminded that our airfield will be “live” with propeller driven aircraft which have right of way. Please for your own safety follow the signed directions or event staff. On no account are vehicles permitted on our runway. If in doubt please ask.
Please RSVP your intended attendance and number of people to Wayne Fowler by either email (waynfwlr62@gmail.com) or SMS 0429 373404.

Pilot Stuff.
Pilots are encouraged to arrive by aircraft depending on weather. YBHL is surrounded by Restricted military airspace so flight planning using ERSA and NAIPS is mandatory unless you are familiar with the area. The event being on a Saturday should allow reasonably easy access.
PLEASE make yourself very aware of our fly neighbourly program with our farming neighbours with animals on the SOUTH side of our runway and Dewars Pool Rd. For this reason, circuits on RWY 27 are right-handed.
Our operations manual is available on the SLACWA website or directly at https://drive.google.com/file/d/14U_...ttPfRL40u/view
The Apron area is reserved for Adrians aircraft so park on the grassed Helipad West area. You should aim to be at the clubhouse area before 10:45am for the 11am ceremony start.
Any further assistance can be obtained from Wayne Fowler (Chook) on mobile 0429 373404.

[chook]

After just over a month since Adrian's passing, a gathering of 130 people comprising of his family, the Super Light Aircraft Club of Western Australia (SLACWA), his many aviation friends and associates said farewell. Adrian's Last Flight, because of his 26-year Military service, included a Military Protocol flag ceremony where 2 ex-military personnel as Flag Orderlies, ceremoniously replaced the Australian National Flag with the RAAF Blue Ensign, The Last Post and Rouse played and at the completion of the event, the RAAF Ensign was ceremoniously lowered, folded, and presented to his Widow, Lesley Stoffels.
The ceremony included a female Priest who orchestrated the light religious component and presented 6 speakers including our own ASRA president Rick Elliot. Thankyou Rick and we appreciate that you made a considerable effort to attend. (Rick doesn’t particularly enjoy public speaking but performed admirably). The final part of the official ceremony was the spreading of Adrian’s ashes from Adrian's Zenith 750 fixed wing aircraft by his son Shaun. Adrian’s wish was for his ashes to be placed on his beloved runway so that as each aircraft departs, they can take a little bit of him with them so that he can again be flying. Adrian's gyrocopter, G000 was at pride of place on the apron.
Mr Stoffels your work here is done, you may now Stand down. Adrian. A655
Chook Fowler. A330