Unfortunately Hank Mertens died last night after recently turning 70. Two weeks ago he flew up to see his friend Robert and Betty Hare at Gold Coast and they came down to see me and I did think he would be around for a little longer. He was admitted to hospital 2 days ago. His wife Chris died about 6 weeks ago.
Hank started flying at Central Coast GC and I first met Hank when he would come to Keepit most long weekends with his Mosquito GQD. The entire family would camp of foreshore and would remember his huge bonfires. Later he was President of Gliding Federation and then was Aussie rep on IGC or was it FAI (my memory failure). Then for 7 years he was the board of Air Services and many of the rules and airspace we now have could have been a lot worse if Hank was not on the board. In recent years he bought a mobile home and has traveled around Australia with Robert and Betty in their mobile home. Also he did many motorglider touring trips with Robert in his Ximango to many parts of Australia. One interesting trip was meeting up with CASA police for a ramp check at Charlieville then they flew to Karumba only to find he left his mobile and flight bag back in terminal building. All were following them on SPOT as "boys on the run" I would expect the funeral mid next week in Sydney. Best ask Robert Hare 0438218877 for details. Ian McPhee
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