These words by Greg Egan were in the service for John on Friday 21 June.

John, or Birdy as we flyers knew him, had an unrelenting enthusiasm for all things he engaged in and particularly flight. The Hargrave Collection, with the international friendships and academic recognition that followed, and his contributions to indoor flight are but a few examples.

It is fair to say that he saved more than a few of us by dragging us away from our real lives and into the blue. 

We rise each morning, count our blessings and fly on with Birdy whispering advice to us and applauding when we fluke another good landing.
 
Blue sky dreaming.