Hidden Stories: Crafting History Through the Love of Flying

For Toby McPherson of Page, ND, aviation is more than a career—it’s a lifelong passion that has defined his journey for decades. From his early fascination with crop-dusters, to the monumental task of building a World War II-era plane, Toby’s story is one of determination, craftsmanship, and a deep love for the skies.

A Family Legacy in the Sky Toby’s passion for flying began as a second grader. Growing up on the south side of Erie with nine siblings, Toby recalls spending much of his childhood with his big brother Jim, watching crop dusters spray the neighbor’s fields. Jim eventually launched his own spraying business in Colorado, but not before enlisting in the Air Force and learning how to fly.

Inspired by his older brother, and still fascinated with aeronautics, Toby completed a course in Business Aviation at the Wahpeton School of Science, while also putting flying hours in at the nearby airport. He later received a pilot license and founded Tall Towers Aviation, a private business he started with a leased plane and a drive to fill a void in the rural areas northwest of Fargo.

Toby sprayed for farmers, primarily. The 1980’s were very dry, but sunflowers were growing strong. “Sunflowers saved the industry,” he recalls. “The sunflower market was taking off, and I was pleased to be a part of that.”

Toby’s love for aviation continued to take off too. Still a young businessman, he turned to his knowledge of mechanics to service his own plane, affording him the ability to save up and grow the business.

And then in 1988, he began collecting old plane parts, and that love of flying was about to go far beyond crop spraying.

Piece by Piece: A Labor of Love The North American P-51 Mustang fighter plane was among the best and most well-known aircraft used by U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. In fact, many still credit the plane with helping allies win the war. “Veterans always tell me that the sound of its engine is the sound of freedom,” Toby says.

For nearly 15 years, Toby had been collecting parts and pieces of planes, until he eventually had enough of them to build his own warbird aircraft. And so Toby began to tackle the ambitious project of assembling a P-51 Mustang himself.

The restoration work took place in Kindred, with the help of a trusted friend and plane inspector. Over the course of four years, Toby painstakingly reconstructed the World War II plane, dedicating countless hours to ensuring every detail was authentic and functional. By 2006, the plane made its first flight in Kindred—a moment of triumph for Toby and a highlight of his career.

Today, the Mustang resides in the Fargo Air Museum, where visitors can admire both its historical significance and the craftsmanship that brought it back to life. Building the Mustang wasn't just about the plane itself. For Toby, it was a tribute to the innovation and courage of those who flew these aircraft during one of history’s most pivotal moments. It also symbolized his own commitment to preserving aviation’s rich legacy.

A Lifelong Love for Flight Toby’s dedication to aeronautics continues to soar. As the only original ongoing member of the Board of Directors at the Fargo Air Museum, he has been instrumental in fostering a love for aviation in others. He also plays a key role in planning the Fargo Air Show, an event that brings together aviation enthusiasts from across the region.

Andy Toby isn’t stopping. When he’s not crop-dusting or organizing aviation events, Toby and his two sons operate a farm just outside Page. He also spends his winters restoring airplanes, often working on Warbirds, like the Mustang.

As Toby reflects on his years in the air and his work on planes, he feels a deep sense of accomplishment. “Flying is more than a job—it’s been a way of life for me for 47 years,” he says. He credits his folks for teaching him and his nine siblings how to live modestly, instilling in them the value of hard work, and the gift of good health. All his siblings are still living, and only two of them are retired. “I’ll keep going,” he says.

With more than 27,000 flight hours logged, Toby remains firmly tethered to his passion. The sign hanging in his office offers a simple truth that has guided him all these years: Time spent flying is not deducted from one's lifespan. It’s a sign that tells the story of a boy who had a dream, a man who lives that dream, and a lifetime spent in the skies.