Wed 14 Nov 2012 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Julianne Kramer Transgender helicopter pilot Julianne “JK” Kramer is being farewelled at a funeral at a Queenstown church today. The 52-year-old was killed when the Robinson R22 helicopter she was flying from Wanaka to Queenstown, crashed in Cardrona Valley on Thursday night. Kramer was Wakatipu Aero Club’s chief pilot and instructor. The club has issued a statement saying undoubtedly all pilots that have flown in the area will be moved by this tragedy,” as JK was such an integral part of the aviation community in Queenstown,” it says. “Many of us owe a great deal of our aviation knowledge and skills to JK and it is unbelievable that this incredibly experienced and capable pilot is no longer with us.” Others speak of Kramer as huge inspiration: “Julianne Kramer was hugely important to me around the time I came out as trans, to my own flying school, and proved that a career in the industry that I love, is still possible for me,” Jessie Mackenzie has posted on our Facebook page. “You will be hugely missed.” Kramer is being farewelled at City Impact Church in Queenstown at 2.30PM today. A gathering will be held at the Wakatipu Aero Club afterwards. Instead of flowers, donations are welcome to the Wanaka Land Search
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 14th November 2012 - 11:58am