Sunset flight

Andrew on a mission to perfect his landing

The colours of the Durban Skyye ahead of the sunset

Final Approach runway 05 Virginia as the runway lights come on in anticipation of sunset

Open Day

We hosted an open day at the flight school and invited clients of my law firm for a joy ride using both of the flight school planes to give the clients a taste of adventure and some stunning views of Durban from 500 ft.

About to take Llew for some refresher flights ahead of his licence renewal

Llewellyn brushing up on his landing skills - all were brilliant

The first of our company flights saw staff member Leanne getting her taste of the Durban Skyye

Each client received a basic flight training lesson taking control of the flight controls

The last flight of the day was with my student Andrew

Dave and Andrew in the glow of the rays of the setting sun

Crash course

It's been a busy month handing the flight school on my own and Quinten arrived to do a "crash" course in getting his pilot's licence in February. Unfortunately for him Raasa (The Recreation Aviation Administration SA) had just launched their updated online pilots' exams and these proved to be more difficult than before causing Quinten to spend most of his allocated time studying and passing each of the exams. He'll have to make up the flying hours another time.

Rupert, a helicopter pilot, who obtained his fixed wing pilot's licence with us, goes for a refresher flight with Dave

The Umhlanga beachfront and lighthouse

Another intro flight with a student

Quinten at the flight controls of our Sling Trainer ZDF

Approaching Durban from Pietermaritzburg following the special rules routing via Coopers Lighthouse on the Bluff

My student Quinten in good spirits

Another flight along the Umhlanga coastline just north of Virginia Airport

Saturday flights

I had a couple of students today, both with just over 10 hours flight experience, and practising landing the plane, so we went around and around a number of times, a bit bumpy some of the landings, but definitely improving. I also flew out west with Gordon to let him experience a grass field landing and he managed it pretty well. 

Student Mike Axcell looking proud of himself after a number of landings at Virginia

Mike (right) and I in the air over the Durban coast

Beautiful winter day in Durban - felt like summer 30 deg as we took off from Virginia Airport

Student Gordon and I tried some grass field landings

Shongweni dam on our return from Cato Ridge

The cockpit of our personal Sling ZDL as Llew and I flew to Ballito and back

Llew and I in ZDL

Weekend flying

The Flight School was busy today with microlight flights, students training for their pilot's licence and even pilots hiring our Sling aircraft out for flights along the coast.

Our flight instructors Brandon (left) and Brad (CFI middle) chat to William who is doing his National Pilot's Licence with us.

Dave takes student Gordon (right) for a training flight up to the Tugela River mouth in somewhat bumpy and a little hazy weather conditions today.

Umhlanga beachfront and lighthouse on our return

May weather

April and May are definitely Durban's best months.. clear skyye and beautiful weather, best for flying. I enjoyed some airtime with my student Gordon in the Virginia General Flying area inland of Amanzimtoti.

My second Sling FYA has only one of the two fuel tanks connected. This means the total maximum weight of the plane (MAUW) with fuel, pilot and passenger, can be kept below 600kg which enables the plane to be classified a "Light Sport Aircraft" for which I have my instructor's rating. My other plane ZDL has both fuel tanks connected, which is great for range - I can fly to Johannesburg and back without refuelling - but requires the higher PPL licence to fly as the weight exceeds 600kgs and which requires a Commercial Pilot's licence to be able to instruct on.

Armand turns 16

It's great to be there at the start of someone's career and a pleasure to take Armand on his first training flight on his 16th birthday. Happy Birthday Armand.. you flew so well today you are going to be a great pilot. It is a pleasure to be part of your journey and we wish you everything of the best.

Proud parents Jeanette and Louis with Armand on his 16th birthday for his first training flight

Armand (right) flies with Dave

A view of Crossways, Bluff, taken from 1000ft routing from Virginia Airport to the general flying training area

The cockpit of our flight school Sling aircraft, with Armand at the flight controls

Returning to Virginia Airport with the Stadium in view

Herschel does it

Herschel put her fears to rest and took on the challenge of a flight in my flight school Sling FYA this weekend and confirmed this was one the best and craziest things she has done!!

Herschel posing with our flight school Sling after touching down at Virginia Airport

Dave teaches Herschel how to fly the aircraft

Crisp, clear views.. Durban's best flying weather in April

The Umhlanga beachfront and lighthouse