North Thanet MP Roger Gale has paid tribute to Westgate pilot and former councillor Simon Moores who was tragically killed in a plane crash this week.
The 62-year-old was flying a G-OARI – Piper Arrow 3 PA28R on Wednesday when it went down near Errezil in the north of the country during thick fog.
Mr Moores and plane owner David Hockings, who ran aircraft maintenance company Cristal Air, were reported to have been flying from the Portuguese town of Cascais to San Sebastian when the plane crashed at about 2pm, killing both men.
Dad-of-two Mr Moores was the Managing Director of Zentelligence (Research) Ltd, advising huge firms such as Microsoft.
As an experienced commercial pilot Simon worked with the BBC, Sky News and Channel 4 News. He was also involved in professional air display work in the summer months and a lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University as well as a keynote speaker on big data and cyber security with Speaker’s Corner.
We're terribly saddened to hear the wonderful Simon Moores passed away on Wednesday. Our team thoroughly enjoyed working with him and we want to express our sincere condolences to his, and David Hockings, family.
— Speakers Corner (@Speakers_Corner) January 11, 2019
The former Charles Dickens student was a Conservative district councillor between 2007 and 2011. He also taught briefly at St Augustine’s College and was a tennis coach in his earlier years.
Sir Roger said: “Simon Moores was a good friend who served with distinction as a Thanet District Councillor. He was also an accomplished aviator. He lost his life tragically young but doing what he loved most – flying a light aircraft.
“Simon will be missed by all who worked with him, by those who enjoyed his company and by the community that benefitted from his experience. Our thoughts and our prayers are with his family.”
