By: Phil Lightstone
I first meet David Grossman, or as he liked to be known as Captain Dav1d, in the late 1980’s. Dav1d was the founder and President of Davgro, a technology company located in Markham ON. At that time, Dav1d was heads down in application development, computer networking and all things hi tech. He was not only the smartest guy in the room, but he remembered everything. He was passionately driven to learn new technology skills, whether it was the latest version of C++, everything PCs and computer networking.
In the early 1990’s Dav1d found his love for aviation. In 1992 he began ground school at the Toronto Buttonville Municipal Airport (CYKZ) located in Markham ON. Dav1d’s craving for knowledge saw him actively participating in each ground school session and the required homework. Flying became natural to him, as he progressed through the flight component of obtaining a Canadian Private Pilot License with Toronto Airways. In the spring of 1993, Dav1d earned his wings. The journey to get a PPL is hard, requiring time, money and discipline. Of the 35 people enrolled in the ground school, only 5 graduated. Each proceeding ground school session saw the class progressively getting smaller. Dav1d had the drive, discipline and dedication to complete the course. He continued his flight training, obtaining other ratings, including Night.
Renting aircraft was a steppingstone to purchasing a 1969 Piper Cherokee light aircraft, call sign CF-QER, which he purchased in July 1995. For Dav1d, his Cherokee became his second child, next to his Porsche. He babied his aircraft, keeping it always hangared, out of the elements and harms way. Protected from the ravages of the environment, hailstorms and off course other pilots. His aircraft became a time machine, allowing him to compress distance and time. It added lots of experiences which last a lifetime. Dav1d put roughly 1,650 hours on CF-QER, which from General Aviaton perspective, is a lot of hours.
His parents and later his mother had a condominium in Fort Lauderdale. Dav1d would fly down to Florida many times a year, with side trips to the Bahamas. I would kid him that his aircraft did not need an autopilot, that it could fly down to Florida unassisted. He always laughed.
In May 2023, the announcement of the closure of Buttonville (November 30, 2023) was a tipping point for Dav1d’s ownership of his beloved Cherokee. On November 15, 2023, the new owner and custodian of CF-QER, Jeffery Dekort of Sarnia, flew Dav1d’s Cherokee away. No doubt it was a sad day for Dav1d.
Dav1d was a strong member and participant in the Buttonville Flying Club (BFC), joining the club in 1996. He kept his membership up to date with both the BFC and the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA). He was a fixture at club events including: monthly meetings; weekend coffee at Druxies at the Buttonville airport; many club flyouts; trips to Florida and the Bahamas; club BBQs; and John Van Lieshout’s famous Beefapalousa BBQ held at the Oshawa Executive Airport (CYOO).
It was part of Dav1d’s DNA to share knowledge and the joy for flight. He was an active participant in the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), participating in their Young Eagles program. A program, hosted by the BFC, with the goal of introducing children between the ages of 5 and 13 to aviaton, including a flight in a light general aviation aircraft. Dav1d flew 290 Young Eagles and a large number of COPA for Kids as well as participating in Girls Take Flight. But Dav1d did not need to stand on ceremony, he routinely flew kids, whether they were nieces, nephews, or co-workers children. Friends of Dav1d thinks that he flew over 500 kids.
Flying was an adventure for Dav1d. On a personal note, Dav1d and I had travelled to Vancouver to attend an IT conference (Comdex West). We decided to stay a few extra days, getting checked out in a Cessna 172 at the Boundary Bay Airport (CZBB). The next day, we rented the C172 and flew to Chilliwack (CYCW) for their legendary pie. Flying back, we followed the Fraser River into Vancouver’s harbour and back to CZBB. The next day, we flew west to Vancouver Island and up the western shore to Tofino (CYAZ). Needless to say, the scenery was stunning. Dav1d and I would switch seats on each leg. With no autopilot in the aircraft, we both became adept in flying from the right seat, acting as the autopilot (George) when the other wanted a break. The beauty and majesty of flight never failed to amaze Dav1d.
How do you sum up someone’s life? In Dav1d’s case, he was a disciplined man, driven by curiosity and the love for aviation, technology and sharing. Family was his epicenter, always at the dinner table for Friday night dinners with his parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. He was generous man, especially when it came to flying, always offering up a seat in his aircraft for a weekend fly out.
Keep the Blue Side Up Captain Dav1d.
