Chipmunk
It has an odd name, which makes it sound a bit ‘cutesy’, but it is anything but! I thought they were quite scarce in South Africa, so I was rather excited to see this one, in especially good condition.
Why sleeping more will improve your flying
Here is a little something I learnt in my years as an elite level athlete – how much you sleep will determine how well you perform, and this definitely also applies to flying.
Yak 52
Not uncommon in South African skies, this Russian beauty just happens to be one of my favourites, and flying in one is definitely on my bucket list! It doesn’t carry war time nostalgia like some of the older fighter trainers, but it stands tall and proud which makes it a simply unforgettable sight.
Say what??? The unpronounceable CVJETKOVIC CA 61
There is nothing like discovering the hangar(s) belonging to a true aviator. You can be sure, that if the owner was already attempting to build his own aircraft at age twelve, that he is going to have an eye for interesting aircraft, and a hangar full of exciting projects, whether they be beautiful restorations, or bits and pieces all waiting for ‘something’…
Rutan VariEze
I just love it when people send me photos of interesting aircraft they have spotted (so please send yours – info@essentialpilot.co.za), but this one really made me do a double take and want to clean my contact lenses! My first reaction to the sender was ‘What on earth is it??’. I could just not figure out which was the front end and which was the rear…
Radio failure during an IFR flight
Following on from part one, of what to do if your radio appears to have failed in flight, here we tackle what to do in the case of a radio failure during an IFR flight. Unlucky for me, this one actually happened to me this past week - as they say there is always a...
The Classic Tiger Moth
Two words come to mind when looking at a Moth – classic and heritage. Meeting this particular example, was certainly a memorable privilege, not only because I got to sit in it, but because of the owners.
Diamond DA42 – Your Dream Twin
I have had my eye on this one for a while, for the simple reason that should I be the lucky winner of the Euro Millions, this would probably be the "IT" purchase. The thing that will immediately grab your attention is that it looks nothing like you have ever seen...
Remember the Alouette III?
Prior to getting up close with the Alouette, my only contact with rotor blades was having watched episodes of the 1980s TV series Airwolf. I know little about helicopters, except that getting a licence to fly one does not come cheap, and getting the flying skills...
Brakpan – Benoni (FABB)
Brakpan is a town known for its interesting car mods and hairstyles, however, the airfield is an understated hub of activity and cool people. FABB is one of the oldest airfields in South Africa - it was built before OR Tambo, which explains why it sits nestled in OR...