Newspaper Article 2000 – Out of retirement for one thrilling day

Out of retirement for one thrilling day

ANNA LORCK

Forty-seven years ago, Snow Ingram hung up his pilot’s goggles for marriage – but on Saturday he came out of retirement, and once again took to the skies of Central Hawke’s Bay.

In a story full of romance, the trained fighter pilot gave away his passion of flying for the love of his life when he married Isobel Petersen in 1953.

Flying was too dangerous, he said, so he ended his career as a top-dressing pilot with Hawke’s Bay Ariel [Aerial] Agriculture, took up farming, and vowed never to fly again.

That was until Saturday when his family decided to celebrate Mr Ingram’s 75th birthday with a special present.

Brother-in-law David Petersen said a ride in a Tiger Moth was the ideal birthday gift.

Mr Ingram had flown hundreds of hours in his career and had only one “misadventure”.

Well known for his aviation skills, he had been asked to give a flying demonstration at the Hawke’s Bay Show. However, the plane hit power lines while landing in an neighbouring paddock, cutting power during the Governor General’s speech. “He literally landed on his nose,” Mr Petersen said.

In perfect weather, Waipukurau pilot Don Mcdonald [Macdonald] and Mr Ingram flew all around Central Hawke’s Bay. On cloud nine, Mr Ingram told his family it was “lovely”

And did it make him feel 28 all over again?

“Almost”, he replied.

Photo caption – WAIPUKURAU pilot Don Mcdonald, left, with Snow Ingram.