Retired family doctor Colm Killeen is hanging up his private flying boots as his 80th birthday approaches and selling the Cessna 421A that has been "part of the family for 17 years."

Dr Killeen jokes: "It's been looked after as if it were one of our children, except, of course, that it hasn't been put in for vaccinations." The 421 has been maintained by Multiflight in Leeds, U.K., since 1985.

"I would not be selling the aircraft if I felt I was still able to continue flying. However, much as I'd like to continue, it's time to call it a day," Dr Killeen, who has homes in Ireland and Portugal, says. Apart from very mild diabetes, Dr Killeen, who doesn't drink or smoke, enjoys good health. "My doctor says I am 'horribly normal'."

Killeen's first three aircraft, flown using his private pilot's licence, were owned fractionally. The first, a Cessna 175 was purchased around 40 years ago and was followed by a Cessna 182 and a Centurion 210. "I've flown pretty well everywhere in Europe," he says. "It's been a wonderful time." Dr Killeen celebrates two birthdays, one in February when he was born and one in March when his birth was belatedly registered. "People took a more relaxed attitude in those days to formalities," he explains. But 2008 will mark the formal end of his private flying days. "Whoever buys the 421 will be getting a bargain. It has been very well looked after."