Hi friendsI have not been around here much recently owing to pressure of work and other things; and am sorry to come here tonight for a reason I didn't expect, and to convey sad news. Many of you in the flightsim and real aviation world know Tim Westnutt. Tim passed away, this week, at 54 from a heart attack at his home in Holland. Tim was very much a part of our development testing at MAAM-SIM, and flew over for the MAAM show on occasions, which is how I knew him; but he was also close to Rob and friends at RealAir and many others in the FS community. I believe that his Dad was a Spit pilot, and he certainly put some time in on the RealAir product, I know! An accomplished pilot in his own right, he rarely went anywhere without getting some stick time in, one way or the other. On a recent trip to New Zealand, he even got himself cleared for landings at Milford Sound in the South Island! Tim flew the Pilatus PC-12 professionally in Switzerland too, I believe.Tim will be sorely missed. Urgently, his girlfriend Brenda Jones is keen to trace all friends of his to keep them up to date with any arrangments made on his behalf. Her telephone number in UK is +44 1737 217139, and her email is [email protected]. She is very happy for anyone to be in touch with her, although as of tonight arrangements are still in abeyance.Again, sorry to bring sad tidings. Fly high, Tim, we will miss you....MarkP.S. Just found Tim's MySpace page; friends can leave messages here too for now, I think:http://www.myspace.com/timwestnuttMark "Dark Moment" BeaumontVP Fleet, DC-3 AirwaysTeam Member, MAAM-SIM[a href=http://www.swiremariners.com/cx.html" target="_blank]http://www.paxship.com/avsimlogo.jpg[/a]

Dear Mark,Thanks for sharing the information with us.Sad news indeed.Tim, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Mark passed me the news earlier, for which thanks. I am rather shocked because Tim was quite young and certainly very fit looking, vibrant and energetic. As many know, Tim was team leader for some of RealAir's beta testing and particularly with the 2004 Spitfire was instrumental in helping us to get that aircraft into shape, and not only was Tim's piloting knowledge very helpful, but his father, of whom he was immensely proud, was a WW2 Spitfire pilot and as a result Tim had an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of Spits.We went to a couple of airshows and air museums together and had many excellent suppers together too, he coming over sometimes to stay at my brother's place in Surrey or with his girlfriend Brenda on his frequent trips to England from Holland, where he was happily settled.Tim had many talents, amongst which was a natural gift for recording engineering, and he was pursuing this after a long and distinguished career as a transport pilot, his last regular run being a cargo route between UK and Belgium. Tim flew many different types of aircraft and had a totally natural piloting ability. He was cool and clear headed and was completely at home in a cockpit. He would fly anything he had the opportunity to when it was offered, and I believe he even took a rather beaten up old Tiger Moth for some aeros on a recent visit to Australia and New Zealand.I know Tim has many contacts all over not only the flight simming world but in aviation too, and all those who knew him saw an easy going, very self-possessed, organised and enthusiastic friend who would always put his full energies into whatever he was involved with at the time.It goes without saying that he will be sorely missed at RealAir and my heartfelt wishes go to his girlfriend Brenda.Rob Young - RealAir Simulations

Mark "Dark Moment" BeaumontVP Fleet, DC-3 AirwaysTeam Member, MAAM-SIM[a href=http://www.swiremariners.com/cx.html" target="_blank]http://www.paxship.com/avsimlogo.jpg[/a]

This is very sad news. Tim was an incredibly positive force for us at RealAir, especially while we were working on the FS2004 Spitfire. He was full of such enthusiasm for the project and had many great ideas.I met Tim briefly while he was travelling over here in Australia. We enjoyed a long lunch together at the Eumundi Markets. I was struck by his positive energy and boundless enthusiasm for aviation and life in general.Thanks for everything Tim, you are in our thoughts.

Thanks for the info Mark - How sad. I'm trying to picture him - that photo helps - at an AVSIM convention...did he go to them? Was he at the Reading, PA convention? http://www.my-buddy-icon.com/Icons/objects/red_3d_plane.gifAlex ChristoffN562ZBaltimore, MD

I never knew Tim but I sure recognize his name.Sad to hear of this news-the picture shows all..I am sad...Best to all.http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/1b5baf...b9f427f694g.jpgMy blog:http://geofageofa.spaces.live.com/

The main thread on Tim has been moved to the hanger chat forum. If you wish to pay tribute to Tim, please post in that thread. Mr. moderator...please could you move posts to that thread if possible. Thank you.Rob Young

Yes, there were a bunch of us hiding under Briefing Time's wing showing off the virtual version - a group that included Tim, Bill Womack, Keith Maton and myself alongside Bill Rambow.I would post an image, or a link to it, but the forum doesn't seem want to let me.Ian P.