Pilot of 206 in "Local Hero"
 

We've just seen the last 15 minutes of Forsyth's wonderful 1983 film "Local Hero". My wife asked if the pilot of the 206 ferrying MacIntyre back to ABZ was Bill Nighy. My initial reaction was scornful, but when I looked and listened (you see and hear him on the R/T) I could see what she meant. Knock 25 years off his current age and the chronology feels right.

The credits are silent even on which company provided the machine (too early for PDG?). So go on, could everyone laugh politely and tell me who it really was? Thanks awfully.

It is John Poland and I believe he is named in the credits.

I walked into the ABZ terminal to buy my P&J, the moment they were shooting the scene inside the terminal. Stopped to see what was going on and thoroughly enjoyed the movie when it came out - a classic.

Thanks for replying so quickly.

I think I'll go back and watch the whole film again - it was, as you say, a classic.

And of course the sound track is awesome. Marc Knopfler toning down and refining towards a lyrical style that will be played in a hundred years.

But then so will Sultans of Swing.

I have the movie sound track on CD. Brilliant.

Local Hero in Pennan
 

Fabulous movie and cast and the location of course was the town of Pennan.
Was only reviewing the pics yesterday from a shoot there in 2006.
Although I lived in ABZ for 5 years, until '06, I was never able to get a pic of THAT pub with THAT phone box, without extraneous cars in the pic.
But now I have it!
thekite :ok:

My favourite film of all time, with so many quirky comments that you have to watch it several times to catch them all. Didn't think when I first watched it that I would be a helicopter pilot myself in later years, just goes to show we don't know whats round the corner...thank god. a happy New Year to all and the best line for me in the filw was when the guy is painting the name on the boat and the american asks" are there not two l's in dollar" to get the reply " are there two g's in bugger off!"

Many years ago along with a few friends from Aboyne we ventured to Banff to meet up with some chums at the Banff Springs Hotel for a jar. When we pulled into the car park we saw a red telephone box chained to an SUV. Apparently the film crew of Local Hero (including Bert Lancaster) were staying at the hotel during the shoot.

Every day the telephone box was taken to Pennan to shoot the film about to be released the next year. The box was not a permanent fixture at the village. The bay was of course on the West Coast.

I flew Bell212's in the Brent at the time and some years later joined John Poland to work as the first Chief Pilot of the merged PLM/Dollar (PDG).

The best flying there is, bar none, in the UK - John and I got "tired and emotional" when I left to ply my trade in the Channel Islands for the now owners of the "Daily Bellylaugh"

John is fit as a flea and rowing his vintage scull as well as ever. Living in Wales - I think.

My waistline is however larger than 1982 - ho hum !!

Great Film - Great Guy!

UG;)