Wg Cdr Bernard “Barney” Fernandes passed away last night, aged 98. His passing is a loss to the IAF & an even bigger loss to the Australian aviation industry, where he as an entrepreneur ran a Flying academy in Perth, at its peak with 40 aircraft. (1/12)
Born in Sengottai, Tamil Nadu, on 24 May 1926 as the eldest of 5 children, his father was in the South Indian Railways. He lost his father early and was raised by his grandfather, Samuel Evan Hockins, a Royal Navy Sailor and a big influence on young Barney. 2/
Completing high school at St. Bede’s Mylapore, Madras he spent a year at Loyola College. The war was on and he joined the IAF as Flight Mechanic (engines) on 1 March 1944. He was posted to 320 MU, Ambala with a job to strip and rebuild WWII aircraft engines. 3/
In Late 1945 he was selected to become a pilot and officer and joined the 42 Pilot Course. It was a tough period as most of the instructors (Brits) were not too keen & many pupils did not make the cut, including Barney. IAF needed Navigators for its fledgling Transport fleet. 4/
Barney was reflighted to undergo Nav trg. 6 months at Tambaram and another 6 at Straight Aviation in UK, Willingale. In Feb 1948, he was commissioned as a Nav officer in “No. 2 Willigale Course”, amongst the first few Nav officers in IAF. His service number 3467. 5/
Barney was posted to 12 Sqn, The only transport sqn which was still oeprating in Kashmir. In 1949, he was awarded the “A” Transport category, a rare and quick distinction, highlighting his skill. Being the best, he was posted to Air HQ Comm Sqn for VIP Duties. 6/
In 1950, he was chosen to be sent to Australia for Advanced Nav Course, the first Indian to do so. In 1952, started a stint with Aircrew Examination Board for nearly 7 years. Barney can be credited with pioneering the Nav Flight at AEB. 7/
In 1959, he became Flt Cdr of 12 Sqn, even though he was a Nav offr, operating in Kashmir & Ladakh. In Feb 1961, he helped establish 44 Sqn on the newly acquired An-12s for which he was sent to Russia for trg. For his role with 44 Sqn, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal. 8/
Promoted to Wg Cdr, he was posted at Battalion Commander at NDA for nearly 3 years, post which he hung up his boots, migrated to Australia, to start an even longer career in aviation training. 1967-72 he was instructor with Qantas. In 1973 established first ever Ground School. 9/
1974 – Started the Australian Flying Training School (AFTS) and in 1981 the Australian Aviation College with the best global accreditations. He was awarded the “Grand master’s Australian Medal” in 1987, only to sell AFTS in 1989 to Hawker DeHavilland. 10/
Barney was not done, in 1989 he again started a Flying College. he also partnered with China Southern Airlines to start a Flying College, the largest of its type. In April 2000, due to some complications, he reluctantly sold his shares in all these ventures. 11/
He continued to assist in Flying training even later including in 2005 in India briefly. He is survived by his wife Margaret and three children in Perth. His life is an example of extraordinary perseverance and passion for Aviation excellence. 12/12
Originally published on Twitter
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