2013 has
been filled with scares, thrills, and many laughs and great opportunities.
Obtaining my
first flying job, and realising that people weren’t joking when they said that
an instructor’s students are out to kill them. Learning the art of teaching,
learning when to intervene, and when it is safe to allow a student to continue
and make a mistake.
I’ve been
fortunate enough see sun rises and sunsets from the air, and soar with the
birds (and in some cases, take drastic action to avoid hitting some of the
birds). I’ve said good bye to friends, and seen people grow and move on. I’ve
met people from all over the world, and made new friends.
I’ve learnt
to love the Cessna 172, something I never thought I’d find myself saying (I
mean, come on, it’s a tri-gear aircraft). I’ve flown in formation with RV’s,
and T28’s Trojans; Bosbok’s and Cessna 152’s; I’ve experienced formation
aerobatics from the front seat of the highly capable MX-2; and I’ve seen the
majestic Boeing Stearman navigate through the skies, from the rear seat of the
highly-capable Atlas Bosbok. I have flown in the back of the Huey, and relished
in the feel of the blades beating the air. I’ve been to Gauteng several times,
and seen the country from the pointy end of a Boeing 737-800. From advanced
aircraft, to the basics; a J3 Cub with the flapping door acting as your stall
warning; landing at Ysterplaat AFB in a 1940’s Howard.
I’ve flown
in the early morning, where the air is so still and smooth that it feels like
you’re dreaming, and I’ve flown through horrible turbulence and rain. I’ve
flown to – and landed at – the most southern airfield in Africa, and I have
experienced first-hand what it is like to chase zebra and ostrich off of a
grass runway.
I’ve had
days where nothing seemed to go right, and where I eventually made the decision
that, after the third issue, it wasn’t intended for me to fly that day. And
I’ve had days where everything seemed to go well. I’ve flown with B777 pilots, and old retired
pilots. I’ve introduced young and old to the wonders of flight, some of whom
are natural pilots, others who simply didn’t have a clue, but enjoyed it
nonetheless.
I’ve seen
Cape Point from the air more times than I have been there by car, and no longer
fear the water crossing to Robben Island. I’ve seen waters so crystal blue and
beaches so white, it was as if they belonged at some tropical island, not off
the coast of the Western Cape. I’ve
witnessed whales swimming with their young, and seen sights I never would have
seen from the ground.
All in all,
I’ve had a good year.
Here’s to
2014. May fewer students try to kill me.
