The pilot wasn't just some hobbyist....he did over 20 years in the airforce starting off as an apprentice airframe fitter on the mirages, then he worked his way to become a flight engineer on the C130 H in 36Sq to the rank of Warrant Officer, he then did 10 years as a flight engineer on Boeing 747 for JAL, he did a stint driving trucks in the coal mines in the Hunter Valley, went up to North QLD where he worked for some regional airlines, even did FIFO in PNG, and did a few years as a civilian Safety Officer in the RAN in Cairns.
He had great experience in aviation and mechanics ,and he never skinted on safety as he at times would have his grandson flying in the plane with him