Hi Guys,
My ole buddy Tommy! I have known Tommy for some 30 years and he is definitely one of the good guys who always has a warm and welcoming smile and a kind or funny remark no matter what is going on in his life.
Expert flyers who watched Tommy fly repeatedly said to me that with his great natural talent , if he would only "go for it" and put in all the time with proper coaching he would win the nationals and make the world team.
They said that to me 30 years ago and they still say that to me today. Tommy is very "good".
Tommy "didn't go for it" back then because he does things his own way, and he never lost sight of the fact, that flying stunt planes is about having fun.
Tom is such a genuinely modest person, I don't think he has any idea how "good" a flyer he really, truly and actually is , he can see his flaws far better than his excellence. Perhaps that modesty has played a part in keeping him away from a lot of the big meets but even though I think the stunt world is probably the poorer for Tommy's absence, I would never think to question Tommy's choices.
Tommy is also an excellent designer of beautiful airplanes and is a meticulous craftsman at building great airplanes and fortunately he does seem to take some pride and satisfaction in his wonderful designs, despite all his natural modesty.
Tommy Luper embodies all the positive and wonderful attributes that are a part of the word, "Gentleman". I am quite sure that Tommy doesn't believe that he deserves all the praise that he is getting in this thread but the people that know him are very sure he does.
Tommy, my long time friend; May God bless you and all the best to you in your life. God Bless,
Pat Robinson
P.S. The tall sidekick mentioned is Phillip Bailey and he and Tom have flown together for years.