Heathrow Director:
probably best just to ask Tom straight out if maybe you could hitch a ride. I got chatting to him in the USA at Oshkosh and ended up spending an entire day flying with him and his friends. I doubt he'll ask for a contribution. Otherwise offer him a few bob for fuel. It takes about five people in the back if I remember correctly.
Have remained in touch ever since, on and off but he didn't say where in the South of France he was headed when I spoke to him last week.