Regional Express (Rex) Saab Captain and number one pilot on the seniority list, Max Langshaw, will hand in his Rex wings today after 32 years, and more than 20, 000 flight hours. Rex flight ZL3263 departing Wagga Wagga for Melbourne at 12.40pm will be Max’s last as an Air Transport Pilot with Rex.
Max joined Rex's predecessor, Kendell Airlines, on 4 January 1974. During the long period with Kendell, Max progressed as a Check and Training Captain, Chief Pilot, and became General Manager of Flight Operations. His last years at Rex were spent as a Melbourne-based Line Captain.
Commenting on Max's long history with Kendell and Rex, Rex Managing Director, Mr Geoff Breust, said during the past 32 years Max had seen plenty of changes. "Max saw Kendell progress from just a very small airline getting on its feet, right through to its days as Australia's largest regional airline operating the country's first pure regional jets. He then witnessed the terrible demise of Ansett and Kendell which was then wholly owned by the Ansett group and the subsequent period of administration. He was part of Rex from day one and saw through the merger of what was Kendell and Hazelton airlines into Rex. Like all the staff at Rex he has worked hard to be part of the success Rex is today."
"Max has also experienced dramatic changes to the aircraft he has flown over the years. From Kendell's first seven seater Piper Navajos to four engine De Havilland Herons, an Aero Commander to the airline's first turbine pressurised Metro IIs which were a great leap ahead in 1978. Max flew the first southern hemisphere based Saab 340 from Linkoping in Sweden to Wagga Wagga in February 1985 where it joined Kendell. The Saab 340 has become one of the most successful regional aircraft in Australia. Max saw the replacement of the early Kendell Metro IIs with brand new Metro 23s in the mid 1990s and has seen the Rex Saab fleet with new models grow to one of the largest currently in the world."
"Max's long and highly distinguished career with Kendell and Rex is testimony to his dedication and professionalism," Mr Breust said.
"While in one way this is a sad day for Rex, we are celebrating the fantastic career of a great friend and colleague."
"On behalf of the Rex Board, Management and all our staff, I wish Max, his wife Edith and their family our very best wishes for his retirement. Max will never really leave us as the legacy of his approach and attitude will live on through all the flight crew he has trained and mentored over the years."
Max was born in Sydney and during his younger years in Arncliffe, he would ride his bike to Mascot just to watch the planes fly in and out. After school Max completed his fitting and machining apprenticeship and was a keen cyclist, moving to Europe to race and work in Oxford. Max won a Gold Medal in cycling at the Perth Commonwealth Games in 1962. Max then moved home to work at British Motor Corporation in Sydney as a planning engineer. Max acquired his private licence at the age of 24 and thanks to his successful full time job, acquired his commercial licence some nine months later. He spent five years as a part-time instructor with Royal Sydney Aero Club before meeting Don Kendell at Bankstown airport in 1973 and moving to Wagga Wagga to accept a position as a pilot with Kendell. Max lived in Wagga until 1979 when he moved to Sunbury near Melbourne Airport to continue flying and flight management with Kendell.
Asked to hand down a word of advise to colleagues, Max said "learn to serve without looking for reward - the reward is serving, if you can do that, everyday is a memorable day".
Mostly Max says he will miss his three favourite things - flying, aeroplanes and people.
Over many years, in observing reunions between families and friends at airports, Max says you can't help but feel in some small way you help bring people together.
At 65 years of age Max looks forward to spending time with his wife Edith, two daughters Rachel and Cara and two grandchildren, along with the many friends he has spread far and wide - without considering a flying roster. He also plans to cycle each morning in training for the 'Round the Bay' 200km bike race in Melbourne in October, and hopes to master his computer skills, look into digital photography and invest time into the local Anglican church.
To commemorate Max's last flight today, Rex staff will provide a special ovation as he will board a Rex Saab for the last time as its Captain while the Wagga Wagga Airport Fire Brigade will conduct a "spray over" of the aircraft as Max makes his last departure.
Rex held a special farewell for Max in Melbourne Saturday 8 July, presenting Max with an engraved Saab 340 model aircraft and portrait in appreciation of his commitment. Over 150 colleagues gathered to honour Max's marvellous career and send off their close friend.
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