Eddie Seve remembered as aviation advocate after fatal crash

General Aviation lost one of its best advocates with the tragic death of Eddie Seve at Wedderburn on Sunday, writes Kathy Mexted.

Pictured is Eddie Seve who tragically died in plane crash over the weekend near Wedderburn in Sydney's West. Picture: Kathy Mexted

General Aviation lost one of its best advocates with the tragic death of Eddie Seve at Wedderburn on Sunday.

Eddie was a highly skilled pilot, a technical mentor, an exceptional friend to many in the close-knit flying fraternity, and was forever looking to inspire the younger generation.

In more than a decade as an aviation writer, I invariably ask the question, ‘how did you get interested in flying’ and the inevitable answer is that somebody took them for a fly when they were young and it ignited a flame that would not be extinguished.

Eddie aimed to be the match that lit the flame and was often photographed with his teammates and some excited youth who had just scored ‘free rides in a plane’.

These were sometimes followed up with a free ride for an equally excited parent. ‘It’s all about hooking in the young ones,’ he said once. He and his team inspired through the spectacle of their aerobatic displays, and followed up with the practical exposure of a flight.

Without a doubt, one of Eddie’s enduring legacies will be the instigation of an aerobatic display team.

Eddie Seve was killed in a plane crash near Appin, west of Sydney today. Picture: ABC

In 2016, having completed many trips around the countryside, night flying and an aerobatics endorsement, Eddie was looking for ways to continue improving his skills and to ‘have a load of fun’. He invited his mate to do some formation training, which involves flying in close proximity using precision and skill with the aircraft, and confidence and trust in the other pilot(s).

Four pilots completed the course and then practised every chance they got, progressing to advanced formation flying, and finally formation aerobatics and low-level aerobatics (down to 1000 feet). Safety is a high priority.

Atherton Recreational Aviators treasurer Jon Collins, left, and secretary Dave Graham were on hand to greet visiting pilot Eddie Seve from Arcadia near Sydney when he and his group landed on Friday.

They were often seen flying around NSW together, exploring the possibilities of their new discipline and enjoying the beauty of the landscape by air.

After a couple of early name changes, the team became Freedom Formation, and grew from four to 13 members flying various versions of the RV aircraft, under the careful tuition of a professional instructor.

Their 13-minute routine, which to the audience ‘looks like chaos and derring do, but inside the cockpit looks the same as the previous 30 times’ was presented at a growing number of airshows and fly-ins.

Eddie was looking for ways to continue improving his skills. Picture: Supplied

Undoubtedly the highlight had been performing at the 2023 Pacific Gold Coast Airshow with 400,000 spectators.

The American experts on hand were wowed, calling it ‘world-class’ ‘outstanding’, and ‘quite special with a great future’. Most of the crowd down on the beach didn’t know where to look!

Eddie’s enthusiasm was infectious. He was a humble man who said to me once, ‘Our aim is to promote and inspire others to get involved with aviation and to showcase all the possibilities that are on offer.’

He had a heart as big as the broad shoulders that carried him and a generosity of spirit that we’ll do well to emulate.

Originally published as Eddie Seve remembered as aviation advocate after fatal crash