The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Getting to know you
Graham Dawson from Cupar has 26 years experience as a pilot and currently takes passengers on scenic tours of Scotland
Q What do you love most about what you do?
A It’s the people and the smiles as well as the challenge of providing safe and effective flying, be it instructing or flying clients on surveys or passengers to see the sights.
Q What was your Plan B career wise?
A My real ambition was to be a baker and I would still love to do that. I’m attracted by the early hours and the fine aromas.
Q Who would you like to thank?
A My mum and dad. They were brilliant and my dad is still a wise old bird at 90. My lovely and long-suffering wife and my three grown-up bairns.
Q What would be your superhero power/name?
A My superhero is Winston Churchill. He was flawed just like the rest of us but had the power of oratory and courage in bundles
Q Your house is on fire, what one item do you save?
A My underpants – for very good reasons.
Q Last meal on earth?
A Mince ‘n’ tatties or just bread and water if kindly given.
Q First thing you’d do if you won £1 million?
A Be thankful and then set up a trust with about 50% for something good, like an education trust. Pay my mortgage off and give a bit to my family, then save the rest. Oh yeah and get the heating fixed.
Q Quiet night in or big night out?
A In my summer house, with a few pals and a couple decent beers and no lager.
Q City break or weekend in the country?
A I live in the country so for a break I like to go to... the country. Bumpkin born and bred.
Q Early bird or night owl?
A Early bird for sure. I used to be a milkman with a 1am start or earlier and that would still suit me. As for late nights, I will leave that to the owls themselves.
Q Save it or spend it?
A Save some and when the time is right spend some. Rainy day protection is important.
Q Couch potato or fitness fanatic?
A No telly so my couch goes unused most of the time. I used to go to a gym but it was just boring so I like walking and cycling.
Q Home or abroad?
A Home is great with the occasional trip abroad but not to a beach or the sun. Gimmee the Alps every time.
Q What advice would you give to your younger self?
A Listen to your parents, you twit.
Q Early or late?
A I like to be early but life’s complications make me late at times. I try to let people know though cos I hate being late for folks.
Q Cats or dogs?
A I have a dog which hates cats – until they get really close and then she runs for cover.
Q Biggest regret?
A I don’t really hold regrets as such – just learn by mistakes. Life has ups and downs and it’s good to have both.
Q Who do you admire most?
A My dad. Wisdom personified with a big heart, courage and skills. Generous with time and like a rock, supporting his family even at nearly 90.
Q What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?
A When I was a police officer and had to take control of nutters on a night train of West Ham “fans” en-route to Aberdeen with one colleague after a number of innocent other passengers had been put in fear of their lives.
Q Write your own epitaph.
A “Blast it... failed again!”