AS YOU MAY HAVE PICKED UP in my previous articles, I love flying, but I also enjoy the people aspect of the work just as much. Years ago, when I first signed up to be a pilot at the Protea Coin Group, I worked under Waal de Waal, the COO at the time. Waal, or Delta Whiskey, as he’s affectionately known to his ex-101 Romeo Mike battalion compadres, is a man who learnt the importance of rescue first-hand. While in the army way back when, he accidentally triggered a POMZ anti-personnel mine somewhere beyond the northern border of South West Africa. After being carried on a makeshift stretcher for many miles, he was casevaced by Puma.
“We never leave a man behind,” became one of his mantras and something he was fond of repeating during security operations. I too took it to heart, which leads me to my topic this month: Rescue.
A few years ago, I was introduced to Greg Critchley, an interesting fellow who works as a radar controller for Air Traffic and Navigation Services at OR Tambo International Airport. He’s the guy who looks at your radar dot on his screen and tells you where to go on Joburg North frequency. His other job is as the ARCC (Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre) deputy chief.
Esta historia es de la edición March 2022 de SA Flyer Magazine.
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Esta historia es de la edición March 2022 de SA Flyer Magazine.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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EXERCISE VUK'UHLOME 2024
The South African Army's Exercise Vuk'uhlome 2024 Distinguished Visitors (DV) Day took place on 21 November at its Lohatlha Combat Training Centre. Although an Army exercise, the event combines SAAF squadrons for ground support.
LANSERIA AIRPORT implements E-Gates
As air travel continues to grow, pressure mounts on the check-in process, resulting in frustration and often leading to missed flights.
LIVING THE DREAM - Part 1: Life in the Trailer Park
A harsh, piercing sound jolts me out of a restful, deep sleep. My alarm clock. Where am I? The ceiling is not familiar, the bed is hard, and the room smells. Well, I know I'm not home. My mind is racing to identify my location on this planet. Oh yes, I'm at work. Houma, Louisiana.
OKAVANGO ECHOES
One Okavango evening, at the luxury Khwai River lodge, a young well-bred English pilot of good character and eloquent public-school accent and I had too much to drink.
RODGER FOSTER STEPS OUT THE COCKPIT
At the end of November 2024 Airlink announced a change of leadership following the decision by current CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster, to step down at the end of March 2025. Rodger Foster founded the airline almost 33 years ago.
MARK TIERNEY'S CAFE PROPOSAL
One of the many challenges faced by African airlines is access to cost effective finance.
ENGINE FIRE!
Iris McCallum's continues her stories about her early years with Air Kenya, and we get to revisit one of her more dramatic moments.
GOING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
I'm sure you are familiar with the 'Leave Bug'. It's a little worm which lives in calendars. It hatches in cycles of two. Just before you are due to go on leave it grabs the last five days of duty and makes each one last for 48 hours.
AVIATION'S GOT THE CAREERS - BUT ARE YOU READY?
Now that Covid is receding into being a bad dream and the aviation industry is bouncing back strongly, the aviation press, blogs and websites are abuzz with predictions that we're facing a massive skills shortage. The only way to address this is by dramatically ramping up training to ensure an ongoing flow of new professionals into the industry
FLYING AROUND THE KZN AIRFIELDS
In less time than it takes to drive from one side of Johannesburg to the other, you can fly to beautiful KZN to experience amazing scenery and some fantastic airfields and hospitality.