HE’S 70 years of age, only left his beloved Queensland once and never been on an aeroplane – until yesterday.

This is the story of Gordon McEwan, who flew from Brisbane to Darwin to see his sister-in-law who bought him the return flight as a 70th birthday gift.

Mr McEwan was the hero of QF824 as captain David Holt announced to his fellow passengers there was a special traveller on board.

“We have a first time flyer on board, ladies and gentlemen, his name is Gordon, he’s 70 years old and we are delighted to have him on board,” Mr Holt echoed across the public announcer.

The NT News happened to be on board the flight and spoke to Mr McEwan about his experience.

“Basically I’ve never had the opportunity or the money to go on a plane,” the former butcher and dairy farmer said.

First officer James Tapp said Mr McEwan was one of the oldest first time flyers he knew of. “I don’t know of anyone older; it’s a akin to a 100-year-old going skydiving for the first time,” Mr Tapp said.

media_camera Gordon McEwan with his sister in law Kay Sutherland after landing in Darwin. Picture: Supplied

When his sister-in-law Kay Sutherland asked Mr McEwan what he wanted for his 70th birthday, she offered to fly him to Darwin.

Ms Sutherland then offered to fly to Brisbane so she could travel up with him but he was adamant he could do it by himself. “I’ve actually really enjoyed the experience, it’s been great and the Qantas crew have been fantastic,” Mr McEwan said.

“I was a little bit worried before taking off but once we got up in the air I was fine.”

The affable Mr McEwan rose at 4am from his home in Aratula, about 100km southwest of Brisbane, to get on the flight. “I was up and at ‘em early, took me about two hours to get to the airport and then it was all systems go,” he said.

Mr McEwan spent 57 years as a butcher and dabbled in a some dairy farming and he’s always been someone who doesn’t like to venture to far from home.

“I drove across the NSW border once and then I came back. That’s as far as I’ve been,” he said.

Mr McEwan, who has a wife and a daughter, grew up on a dairy farm opposite the Ferny Grove High School.

Ironically, his daughter, Kylie, flies all around the world for Life Stream Australia, which helps people with intellectual disabilities.

Mr McEwan is spending two weeks in Darwin and is already looking forward to his flight home.

“I’ve done it once so I know what it’s all about now,” he joked.