Dusk Arrival

"We all liked to do break approaches in the TBM. It resulted in a faster recovery time for a team, it was easier for the tower to manage the traffic and, as well, it looked a lot nicer than everyone coming in singly. What really looked sharp, however, was landing at dusk in the TBM. It was more than just another airplane landing, it was an event. With the mixture pushed ahead to auto rich and the electric fuel boost pump on, there was a lot of fuel going throught that old engine in case you needed the power for a go around. So, when you came over the fence at 75 knots, with the gear down, full flaps applied and the canopy open, and you chopped the power to drop it onto the runway, there were flames. I mean that the fire seemed to come right over the leading edge from the stacks. You could notice the flickering orange glow in the upper cockpit and with the resonant thumping sound of the exhaust , like a drum, I felt as if I were a participant in a Wagnerian Opera rather than just landing an airplane. I'll never forget that wonderful experience."

The Piper of Sevogle

"As we prepared to leave Sevogle, at the close of the 1989 spray season, for the ferry flight to Fredericton, I was approached by one of the mapping people who happened to be a bandsman in a Canadian Militia Highland Regiment. He enquired to see if I wished to be piped out to my plane. It seemed like a fine idea to me so I agreed and we proceeded to form up for our two man parade. Then, to the skirl of the bagpipe and with an enthusiastic crowd of onlookers, I marched through the camp proudly swinging my arms shoulder high to the front and waist belt high to the rear. We continued out to the runway and with a left wheel marched down the centreline and to the waiting Avenger. Despite my rather stoic appearance, it was a deeply moving experience and a rather appropriate way to end the season."

.........A TBM Pilot