If you ever thought being an older person stood in the way of achievement, think again. David Tyndall is a sprightly 83-year-old who flies a light aircraft most weekends, enjoying a hobby he took up nearly 40 years ago. Last year he added an adventurous new string to his bow. Tyndall became the world's oldest solo helicopter pilot and in so doing made his way into the Guinness Book of Records.
It was Tyndall's wife, Moll, who set him on course for his achievement when she gave him a present of helicopter flying lessons for his 80th birthday. The couple have been married for more than 50 years and have a family of four children and nine grandchildren. "Flying a helicopter was quite a different experience to flying fixed wing, but both give a fantastic sense of freedom," David Tyndall says.
He spent two years preparing for his solo helicopter flight, which he made in July of last year. "He's mad about flying and always has been and I thought having a go in a helicopter was something he'd really enjoy doing," says Moll, who has accompanied her husband on many flights but admits to preferring the comfort of a larger aircraft.
"When he started flying, travelling by plane was still a novelty," she continues. "We thought we were the bee's knees when we went on our honeymoon in a Dakota. Just recently we came back from visiting our son in Boston and we were upgraded to first class - now that's really the way to fly!" Tyndall's interest in flying was kindled as a young teenager when the well known aviator, Sir Alan Cobham, landed a light aircraft in Artane in north Dublin. Hearing of his arrival, the young Tyndall rushed home to get a half a crown (25p) to pay for a flight with Cobham and he was hooked. Tyndall finally fulfilled his desire to fly in his forties and, weather permitting, he flies every week in a two-seater Cessna 152. He is president of the Leinster Aeronautical Club and he has flown all over Ireland and to Britain and the Isle of Man. He doesn't own an aircraft and has never seen the necessity to do so. "I only fly once a week so it would have been a waste to have it sitting there doing nothing. That's where a good club comes in. I've been involved with the Leinster Aeronautical Club for over 30 years and it's an excellent organisation," he says. Asked what keeps him flying, he says, "the whole experience - preparing a flight plan, getting up there, arriving at your destination and, of course, making a good landing. A good landing is always something you want to achieve."
Although he has always flown light aircraft, Tyndall has only had one or two scary moments in his long flying career. "If you're prudent about when you fly and don't take risks with the weather, there shouldn't be a problem, he says. "I did have one experience when the visibility suddenly became very bad and I had to fly home by radar with assistance from the tower at Dublin Airport. Nowadays, I normally fly with someone who can also fly. I think that's a sensible precaution to take at my age."
Up to his retirement at the age of 67, David Tyndall was active in Irish corporate life. He was chairman and chief executive of Amalgamated Wholesalers and he was responsible for bringing Spar into Ireland. He was also on the board of St Joseph's Hospital in Dublin and he was on the committee of what used to be the National College of Industrial Relations (now the National College of Ireland). He is currently treasurer of the Irish Aviation council and is also involved with the aircraft owners and pilot's association, AOPA.
Since his retirement the Tyndalls have "travelled the world". They have been all across Europe and to China (twice), India, Japan, the Arctic and South America and they are planning a trip to the South Pole next year. They keep fit by walking for at least an hour a day and have no plans to slow down. "I had some tests in hospital recently and was surprised to find that everything was working well - even my brain!" David jokes. He is low-key about his mention in one of the most famous books in the world. "It was my daughter who looked into that and did what was necessary, but I am very pleased about it for the children and grandchildren's sake," he says quietly. In fact he didn't know his daughter Mary had set the wheels in motion until he was asked for evidence to verify his solo flight. "I have the certificate to prove I'm the oldest man in the world to have solo-flown a helicopter, but I still find it very hard to believe."
