Tribute to Paul Gunnell

17/07/2017

Channel Islands Air Search is in shock this morning as the news of the death of Paul Gunnell, one of the service's pilots, sinks in.

Paul was killed in a light air crash in Wiltshire on Thursday night whilst flying as a passenger in a Diamond DA40.

A highly experienced and talented pilot, Paul served in the RAF as a Harrier ground attack pilot before moving on to fly for Cathay Pacific, based in Hong Kong, on Airbus and Boeing 777.

Paul set up home in Guernsey two years ago and married his lovely Australian fiance, Kirsty Boazman.  He was swiftly invited to fly for Air Search, where he quickly became an enthusiastic and hugely popular volunteer pilot.

He was within months of retiring from Cathay Pacific so that he and Kirsty could concentrate on building their lives together in Guernsey.

Mike Tidd, Air Search's Senior Pilot, said: "Paul was an excellent pilot and a great friend.  He brought some really valuable skills and experience to the service and the crew loved flying with him.  We will miss him hugely and I will miss him particularly as a highly valued and much loved friend."

 

If you would like to find out more about Paul's involvement with Air Search then please contact John Fitzgerald by email (john@fitzgeralds.co.gg) or telephone 01481 231555.