Farewell to flight instructor legend Tony Birrer
He spent almost 35,000 hours in the air and accompanied over 500 pilots from their first flying lesson to their final exam: Tony Birrer was already a legend during his lifetime. Now the long-time AeCS member has left us forever, as his family announced.
Tony Birrer ran his own flight school in Grenchen until 2020, having previously worked as a flight instructor in Beromünster, Triengen and at EuroAirport Basel. His work as an instructor and flight instructor was far more than just a job; it was a vocation and a passion that he was able to pass on to countless flight students.
In the AeroRevue Issue 1/23 a portrait of Tony Birrer was published.
I first met Tony in 1979, when I had just graduated from SLS with my PP license and started renting his planes from Triengen. In 1983 I was allowed to complete my FI internship with him. He really was a role model. Patient, even-tempered, knowledgeable and well-organized, he was even able to teach safe flying to students who other schools or clubs considered to be too untalented. Tony was able to inspire and convey the joy of flying. RiP dear Tony!