User:SirachMatthews/Michael Harold Brownrigg

Michael (Harold) Brownrigg (23-Feb-1915 - 8-Jan-2008) was an aero-engine mechanic with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during World War II. Following the war, he was a member of Canada's first helicopter acceptance crew. During his extensive Air Force career, Harold pioneered many flight technology advancements such as helicopter rescues and extended flights, once having served as engineer aboard a flight from Tokyo, Japan to Trenton, Ontario, Canada in a single non-stop flight of a RCAF Canadair CC-106 Yukon personnel/cargo transport.

10 January 1948
Demonstration tour of a RCAF Sikorsky S-51 in Montréal, Québec, Canada, where "Brownie" was lowered from above a crowd of spectators, and after walking about was hoisted back into the cabin. He was among the first to perform such a maneuver. During the helicopter demonstration tour, the crew was allowed to visit a nearby farm belonging to Harold's relatives. While there, a cow managed to trap itself in one of the farm's silos. Then Cpl. Brownrigg and crew were able use the Sikorsky S-51 to air-lift the cow to safety, to the bewilderment of onlooking family and neighbours. The trip to the farm, though authorized, was not scheduled.

8 December 1961
On the final leg of an around the world flight, Brownie served as Flight Engineer aboard RCAF CC-106 Yukon 15923 flight operated by 437 Squadron which set a Canadian long-distance flight record of 6,750 miles (10,860 km) from Tokyo, Japan to CFB Trenton, Ontario, Canada in 17 hours and 3 minutes at an average cruising speed of approximately 400 mph (640 km/h). The flight was originally to refuel at CFB Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. On approach, Warrant Officer Brownrigg and the FO both agreed they had fuel enough to reach CFB Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and received permission from ground to continue to CFB Winnipeg. Similarly, on approach to CFB Winnipeg, they calculated their fuel level would enable them to complete the journey to CFB Trenton, and once again received clearance to do so. On arrival on the tarmac at CFB Trenton, they powered down the CC-106 Yukon to unload. When they were ready to taxi the Yukon into its hangar, there was not fuel enough to start the engines; they had landed on fumes.