‘One moment in time’ happens to be the title of a well known song, an anthem for believing in yourself against all odds. Written for the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul, it subsequently shot into prominence as a world-wide hit for singer Whitney Houston.
Moments can be self-made or delivered, but inescapably much like a fragrant bloom, moments in time are always temporary, destined to become a memory. Furthermore, when considered in proportion to life already lived, moments in time become proportionally smaller as years are accumulated. And, that’s where Graeme comes in.
Recently the Bazflyer’s trusty Comanche departed Taupo runway 17 then headed west on airway H191. Just two persons on board. One of them was ninety one year old widower Graeme. A commercial pilot in his day and career air traffic controller, Graeme was onboard ZK-BAZ for a fly-in visit to his former place of work, the New Plymouth airport control tower.
The flight was IFR with a STAR arrival and RNAV approach, which was Graeme’s first encounter with the GPS technology aviators nowadays take for granted. Access to the control tower followed the push of an intercom button. After entering details in the visitor’s book Graeme ascended the stairs inside the tower building all the way up to the controller’s cab. He said it had been a very long time and a much younger self when he last climbed those stairs. The control cab not only afforded a global view of the airport and its surroundings. More importantly on this occasion, it also enabled Graeme to enjoy his own one moment in time.
Small aircraft flying over the years has provided the Bazflyer’s with a treasure trove of moments in time, each one a pearl unique in its own identity. But, when moments in time are strung together they become a priceless necklace of joy. Thank you Graeme for sharing your one moment in time and as expressed in the lyrics of that song…’ You're a winner for a lifetime if you seize that one moment in time, make it shine’.
Graeme, a young 91 years of age, with Bazflyer1 at Taupo Airport (NZAP) before they boarded ZK-BAZ for the 40 minute flight to New Plymouth (NZNP).
Graeme signing-in for a ‘One Moment in Time’ return to his former work place as an Air Traffic Controller in the New Plymouth Airport control tower.
View from the control tower.
Enjoying his very own ‘One Moment in Time’
The ride home to Taupo (NZAP) and a combined cockpit age of over 165 years.
Thank you Airways New Zealand and the New Plymouth controllers for facilitating Graeme’s visit
