Peter Shewring, Canadian aviation icon, passes on

[Liftdump]

Made the mistake of trying to beat him at a game of pool
in the early 80's at Billy Bobs in Dallas. I thought who ever
comes to the biggest Honky Tonk in the world dressed in
a blue blazer and grey slacks should buy beer all night. WRONG
God speed my friend,you will be truly missed

[ng78]

Incredibly sad news. I had the pleasure of spending a week with Peter in the UK on a particular contract a couple of years ago. His personality, wit, charisma and teaching style are unmatched in my opinion. He had a real knack for telling great stories and hilarious jokes. We discussed going for a pint back in January when he was in Toronto teaching, although this opportunity never materialized which is a huge loss in my book.

RIP Peter Shewring.

[Radiohead]

Having known Peter for only a short while I may not be the best to speak of this, but like most among us even a short while with Peter has a resounding impact. While I'm not big on words, Peter can rest well knowing he has left us in body only and tremendous spirit lives on as a shining example for all of us. All who knew him are better pilots because of it, and all Canadians, even though most do not know it, travel safer as a result of his tireless effort. Truly irreplaceable.


Thank you Peter, I only regret that I still owe you a few beers, I will repay them in other ways.

Safe flight.

[tjtailwind]

After Aerocourse had to reschedule my IFR course, Peter ensured that I was ready for my exam. He saw us through the early days when we started at our new school and was always there when we needed him.

We will all miss you terribly Peter...thanks for making us the Aviators we are today.

Cheers

T-J

PS...remember to only drink the good gin

[Coooper]

I know you cant read this Peter, but you were a mentor to me and I want to thank you in a public forum for your teaching and mentorship.
I wouldnt be this far in aviation without you.
Thanks.
RIP Peter Shewring

[challydriver]

I remember when four of us from Burrard Air did our ATPL course with Peter in 1989 and he made a comment about the INSs installed in the Burrard Air Chieftains. He poked fun at the four of us for the whole course. It was wonderful...

I also remember him drawing a crooked line on the board and saying something like, "there's old parkinson Peter trying to draw a straight line again."

He also a great comment about the people who give the exams at Transport Canada having a dart board with his picture on it.

There was many more comments/one liners that I can't remember.

Peter just had "IT" when it came to teaching. The man was a born teacher and could hold the classes attention. His humor was just a step above.

For me, he was a true teacher and a true Canadian aviation icon.

As far as I'm concerned, he should be in the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame; many people knew and respected his work.

Goodbye Peter, you'll be missed.

[wrc]

what a great guy. Took his ATPL course in 1981 in Edmonton. A Canadian Aviation icon

[ILSfan07]

As far as I'm concerned, he should be in the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame; many people knew and respected his work.

Great idea. I imagine Peter would be honored. Perhaps someone who has been working with him over the majority of his career could nominate him? I have a feeling Peter touched many different areas of this industry over his years...


http://www.cahf.ca/Nominations/nominations.htm

[just curious]

Never took any training from him. Had a bunch of F/O's that did.

So I walked into the Port one day last year,and one of the F/O's mentioned, in hushed tones...
"Peter Shewring is in the bar!"

The Port has a pretty fair selection of high time drivers. A great many of whomare likely to hire at one time or another. So it isn't uncommon to hear, "No, lemme get this round!" from a driver who looks barely able to legally buy beer, let alone earn it.

Peter had a steady crowd of people passing by, making it hard for him to keep his end of the conversation up. He greeted everyone of them graciously and cheerfully, with an amazing recall for names and places. He nursed one drink, knowing to would be hard to decide whose drink offer to accept without hurting another' s feelings.

It could be easy for someone in that position to become a genuine pain. But Peter was an entertaining average fun guy the whole evening. Rare to find a guy like that.

Slainthe,
JC

[longjon]

Sad news, Peter was a great guy, always tried to catch him up on the 550 with technical questions like if the starter won't dissengage that would be the ??? sticking and Peter would say the K5 relay or K15 and he was always right.

[ajet32]

Peter got me through the Samra/Saron and Inrat and I dare say I wouldn't be where I am today without his teaching and his great sense. He was a true gentleman in an age where that is not always fashionable.

"God Speed"

"To fly west,my friend is a flight we all must take for a final check." Author Unknown

[kimchi1]

It is so great to see how many people have been inspired by Peter. I was very close to Peter and his family for many years and was deeply sadend when I received the news of his passing. I struggled for many hours if I should be the first to break this news to our indusrty. After reading all these posts, and seeing how many he touched, I'm happy I did. I hope that one day his family can read these posts and take joy in what a wonderful man he was, and a great friend to so many. We all had different experiences with him. He could make you feel like the most important person in a room and always made you feel like a true champ. I flew with Peter many times, and by far, some of the most memorable and funniest flying experiences of my career were spent with Peter in the cockpit. And yes, we always ran the "Beer Level Low Light" QRH during the layover. I laughed my ass off when someone made the comment about the blue blazer, grey slacks and funky dress shirt at the bar; only Peter could pull that one off. He was a real inspiration to me and I owe my success to him. It's been a year since I last spent time with him and only a few days ago I was on a layover thinking that it was about time I went and saw the "old wombat". I'll be having one for you Peter. Thanks from all us for the memories, and most importantly, thanks for being our friend.

[airliner]

Pecos you were a great friend to many. I will always remember your fondness for the pilots starting out in the trenches, and the times you would spend with the NAVAIR guys at the beaver. I still carry your passion with me today.
In loving memory I wont ever forget you.

[Sasktel]

I remember taking the ATPL course in Edmonton with him in the 90's. He liked to call us by nick names, I guess it helped him remember. Since I was working in Stony Rapids at the time, he called me "The Earl of Stony".

I wrote both my ATPL's the day after and passed with flying colors. He was a great teacher, and a hell of a nice man!

[flying4dollars]

Tragic loss. I took his Aerocourse 2 years ago and what a character this guy was. Never have I been so motivated to learn and keep up in class. His approach to teaching is pretty unique. Godspeed Peter! Rest in peace!

[flyingwithpecos]

Pecos would call me every Christmas morning from Whistler, I'd be somewhere in the world with family by my side. That crazy Merlot voice on the other end of the line would draw me to his side. "Hey big Daddy, just calling to see what trouble you are into, you one eyed armadillo!".

How could I ignore that kind of affection?

I can't believe you are gone Pete! You always reminded me how I am not good enough for my girl Marina, but you always had that sparkle in your eye that made me feel proud.... and how you were proud of me. We broke bread last month in Victoria, you me and Marina. I meant to see you in Calgary the next week, and I didn't make it!!!

I know you are looking down right now, "head erect, eyeballs caged, mind in neutral!"

Miss you Big Daddy,


Greg Messner

[JMACK]

Peter Shewring

The Canadian pioneer of week-end ground school classes has been instructing IFR and ATPL/IATRA courses for over 30 years. Peter's extensive experience includes Chief Pilot, Training Captain and Line Captain of a large corporate flight department. He has thousands of hours of flight experience on jet and turbo prop aircraft and is a Transport Canada designated Flight Test Examiner. Peter has extensive aviation knowledge, keeping current at every opportunity. He believes in developing the pilot's knowledge and overall understanding.

From the Aerocourse website,

He touched so many and will be missed dearly.

Condolences to his family.

[Coast-dog]

Shocking news.

I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to get to know Peter a little bit through the West coast aviation community, attending his course and working with Steve.

He had a tremendous presence and a warmth that enveloped anyone he engaged in conversation.

Thank-you, Peter.

[jjj]

Goodbye Peter,

I fondly remember many pints and many debates. I also recall a check ride pre-brief that was being monitored by TC. All was very normal for the first twenty minutes until Peter got into the IFR questions. An hour later and after many prompts from TC it was over.

Peter wasn't grilling us for the sake of grilling us nor was he showing off - he just loved talking about IFR and was so immersed into the topic that for him the time just flew by.

One of the smartest people I have ever met - beyond witty and an master conversationalist that could speak to anyone about anything. He welcomed so many people into this industry with warmth and kindness and humor. From newbies to the seasoned - he was a friend to all.

With respect,

JJJ

[BigglesNBella]

Wow, what terrible news! I've only known Peter for a couple years, but he was definitely the reason I fell in love with IFR and passed my INRAT with flying colours. What a loss for the aviation community.

RIP Peter, you will be terribly missed in Victoria.

[complexintentions]

There are not many people to whom the terms "legend" or "icon" can be legitimately applied. Peter Shewring was one of them.

I never took one of his courses, but had the pleasure of working with Peter years ago, operating several flights with him on the Citation. I recall whiling away many a pleasant hour in the Ops Manager office with him discussing everything from the technical aspects of IFR flying, to investment schemes, to country music, to his opinion on whatever comely young female I happened to be seeing at the time! The man was a master conversationalist, engaging and genuinely interested in the lives of others. Sharing times at the Flying Beaver with him are among the happiest memories of my career.

Peter was incredibly positive and encouraging in an industry that is often very much the opposite. He approached everything with a gentle, self-effacing humour that helped many of us through tougher periods of our early careers. It is gratifying to see the outpouring of similar sentiment here. I think one of the previous posters used the most apt adjective: above all, Peter treated everyone he met with kindness.

I am extremely sorry to hear of his passing. It is not only the aviation community that is much poorer for the loss. My sincere condolences to his family.

If someone has an email address for his son Steven, could they please pm it to me?

Thank you Peter! You will be missed.

[MacStork]

Peter....
I wish I could be your F/O on this trip Buddy.
It would be a hoot!
Thanks for your wonderful sense of humour! It always got me through the tough times.
I remember your version of Wild Bill Sylverster..... PUSSY CAT!
I remember going to your ground school classes in 1966 at Victoria Flying Services and then listening to you broadcast the news on CKDA .....magnificent!
I remember you ducking out out of my ground school class because PUSSY CAT had a charter to YVR and no other pilot ...but you made it up to us in the Sydney Hotel!
You taught us ....and taught us DAMN WELL! We all survived!
You taught me so much Peter.... and I never forgot that.
You were a class act .....
See you on the other side ....

[ScurvyDog]

I've been on the road for 12 days and missed this posting. It came as a shock to me. Peter, you will be missed. I took a couple courses with him through the years and got to know him pretty well in the process. What a great teacher and mentor.
Godspeed Peter. May you always have blue sky's and a nice tailwind!

[stickontheice]

I just found out this morning...such sad news. He was one of a kind. The best. After working for him for a few years I can only imagine that he's pulling out his old BC Tel Checklist getting ready for T/O up where he belongs. He'll be missed.

[xdriver]

I too was deeply saddened to hear of Peter's passsing. I had the pleasure of flying with him many times in several models of the Citation. The days always passed quickly while flying with Peter. As many have said in previous posts his humor was outstanding, and knowledge on any subject always interesting.

Some years ago I wrote an article on Peter for BC Aviator magazine, but he was too modest to let me submit it as he didn't think he deserved that kind of noteriety for just trying to help pilots in the industry.

As stated above Peter certainly was a "Legend" and "Icon" in the Canadian Aviation industry, and I hope he is nominated for the Aviation Hall of Fame.

Rest in Peace "Reverend"