Doesn't every Flying Club have at least one eccentric member like him?
My one, admittedly now defunct, had at least two. Neither of whom was me!
I greatly admire Rutherford's balls for attempting to harness and rein in Kirk for a trans-Africa gig. Kirk would be tremendous value around the campfire with a dram in his hand, but OMG! Can you imagine trying to bring the bugger (Kirk, not Rutherford) into line for the benefit of the group?