SHORT FINALS
SA Flyer Magazine|November 2022
Inthe October 2018 edition of SAFlyer, regular readers of the magazine would have noticed a new Heli Ops” column appear on page 46. In that first column, introduced myself, The Silver Fox,” as well as several themes that would build on as the magazine moved from its printed version, through a Covid-19 induced lockdown, to where it is now, online.
GEORGE TONKING
SHORT FINALS

I NEVER IMAGINED MYSELF as a writer and most definitely did not dream of a regular monthly column. But anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that I love the aviation (and helicopter) industry, since childhood I have devoured anything I could find about aviation, particularly its history, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge even more, especially with peers. That’s how this all got started. Sometime earlier that year, I had plunged into a debate with a fellow enthusiast on a local aviation online forum. After several interactions, he asked whether I had ever thought of writing. I hadn’t but figured I might have something of value to say. He put me in touch with Guy Leitch, SA Flyer’s editor and owner, and I sat down nervously to pen my first article.

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