Folkyphil, that's an amalgamation of two stories I've heard, both to do with a character who flew BEA Rapides in the Scottish islands (I think).
One he would sat in the cabin with the other pax, deer stalker, plus fours and a monocle; after the non-arrival of the pilot, he'd declare he would fly the aircraft himself as he'd once read a book about flying, then took off in an eccentric matter all the while musing about what the book had said about landing.
The other, after the passengers were seated, he would board wearing dark glasses and carrying a white stick, tap his way up the aisle and into the cockpit. A hand would then grope its way through the doorway and hang a sign on the bulkhead: "Blind flying tonight".