Glider pilot and ME 163 Komet Pilot Rudy Opitz Has Died

Sad news,

I just learned from avweb.com that glider pilot and ME 163 rocket test pilot
Rudy Opitz has died. He was a remarkable man.

He also flew a Horton flying wing glider to victory in a U.S. soaring
contest many years ago. I had the pleasure of meeting him after a talk he
gave at an SSA Convention many (15?) years ago.

He was also a part of the team of glider pilots that flew the very
successful attack on the Fort Eban-Emael castle during WW II. I believe it
was the first time gliders were used for a military attack. He describes
the attack in the interesting "Silent Wings" video:
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/videos.htm#SilentWings.

He certainly lived a full and interesting life!

http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#202518

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ctp...&pid=142633817

A life well lived Rudy!

Paul Remde

On May 10, 6:53*am, "Paul Remde" wrote:
Sad news,

I just learned from avweb.com that glider pilot and ME 163 rocket test pilot
Rudy Opitz has died. *He was a remarkable man.

He also flew a Horton flying wing glider to victory in a U.S. soaring
contest many years ago. *I had the pleasure of meeting him after a talk he
gave at an SSA Convention many (15?) years ago.

He was also a part of the team of glider pilots that flew the very
successful attack on the Fort Eban-Emael castle during WW II. *I believe it
was the first time gliders were used for a military attack. *He describes
the attack in the interesting "Silent Wings" video:http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/videos.htm#SilentWings.

He certainly lived a full and interesting life!

http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#202518

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ctp...=paul-rudolf-o....

A life well lived Rudy!

Paul Remde

Sad news indeed. I used to own a K-6CR that Rudy imported into this
country in 1967. Sweet flying glider. And, the man that signed me off
for my glider rating was himself signed off by Rudy Opitz. Well,
that's the extent of my 6 degrees of separation from a real legend and
a true pioneer of aviation.

On May 10, 6:53*am, "Paul Remde" wrote:
Sad news,

I just learned from avweb.com that glider pilot and ME 163 rocket test pilot
Rudy Opitz has died. *He was a remarkable man.

He also flew a Horton flying wing glider to victory in a U.S. soaring
contest many years ago. *I had the pleasure of meeting him after a talk he
gave at an SSA Convention many (15?) years ago.

He was also a part of the team of glider pilots that flew the very
successful attack on the Fort Eban-Emael castle during WW II. *I believe it
was the first time gliders were used for a military attack. *He describes
the attack in the interesting "Silent Wings" video:http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/videos.htm#SilentWings.

He certainly lived a full and interesting life!

http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#202518

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ctp...=paul-rudolf-o....

A life well lived Rudy!

Paul Remde

Rudy was an extremely talented aviator and a truly wonderful
gentleman. Over his 99 years he lived a very full life and was a great
contributor to our sport.



Condolences

I considered it a HUGE honor to shake the hand of a man who'd flown
the Komet. I will never forget the moment or reading about all the
incredible pioneering flying Mr Opitz participated in. Our tribe has
lost another great one.

Matt Michael

Sorry to hear that. I enjoyed talking with Mr.Opitz at a soaring
convention (Chicago, I think) and was impressed by his contributions
but most of all by his humility.

Mike Finegan