I had been near YTM and its pilot on numerous occasions in the last couple of years, however it was just one week before the accident flight that I spoke to him for the first time. He was just about to depart for YPLC, and gave me some advice on communicating with ATC when flying a direct route. He appeared, despite the early hour, to be a very competent, calm, informed and unhurried pilot. He was friendly, helpful, articulate, well dressed and his aircraft was immaculate. He had the appearance and demeanour of a professional. He was not some 50-hour-a-year woozy-headed almost 80-year-old pilot in any respect. I would have trusted my family with this man.