Flying Career
As long as I can remember, my greatest ambition in life was
to fly an aircraft. The final event that convinced me that I
wanted to be a pilot was in 1971 when dad took me to an air
show at the old Baragwaneth airport just outside of
Johannesburg. There I saw the Mirage F1 perform an air display
that made the hairs on my neck and arms stand up with
excitement. That day I promised myself I would fly that
aircraft, even if it was the last thing I would ever
achieve. In January 1977, I
started my two years of compulsory national service. Naturally
I had already applied for pilots training course but it was
only in June of the same year that I was sent for the
necessary aptitude and medical tests.
There were six weeks of testing as there were
over 450 applicants that year. In August I was invited to
attend a selection board and in September 1977, I was one of
45 young and keen trainee pilots who reported for flight
training at CFS Dunnottar. I was
one step closer to my ambition of flying that Mirage
F1.
After six weeks of ground training I was fi nally allowed near an
aircraft. My first hurdle - a Harvard. Now I know why there is
so much emphasis placed on co-ordination. Just starting the
old lady was an achievement on its own.
Your left hand is pumping fuel – the right hand
is priming the aircraft – the foot is depressing the start
button and your knees are keeping the stick out of the
way.
A whole 16 flying hours later and I was finally
ready for my first solo. What a DAY!! Now I see Harvard 7203
has also been retired.
In March 1978 I finished the initial training on
the old Harvard and it was now time to progress onto the "big
boys" – IMPALA MKI. We were all posted to FTS
Langebaanweg on the West Coast for the advance phase of
pilots’ course - Total flying 119 hrs.
I did my first jet sortie
1 month after my 19th birthday. MIRAGEs, here I come!
In December 1978 I had the privilege to stand in
front of the Chief of the Air Force - Genl Bob Rogers - and
receive my wings. Total flying 224
hrs.
Next was officer's orientation course. In those
years officers course was completed after flying training.
Nowadays it is done before flying training.
After Officers Course I was posted back to FTS
Langebaanweg as a station pilot while waiting for an
opportunity to go on an Impala Operational Training Course (OTC). Total flying 300
hrs
 In June
1979 I was posted to AFB Pietersburg for Impala OTC. Here I
converted to the Impala Mk II which is the single seater
operational version of the Mk I. Six months and 88 hrs flying
later I was operationally qualified. Wingman only. Total
flying 388
hrs
I was then posted to 5 Squadron AFB Durban. Here
I spent 4 years during which I completed Flight leaders
course, Photo Reconnaissance Course and numerous operational
tours in South West Africa (Namibia). Total flying 988 hrs
In July 1983 I took another step closer to
my goal. I was posted back to AFB Pietersburg for Mirage
course. Here I had the privilege to fly the Mirage III DZ, D2Z
and the single seater Mirage III EZ. It was 75 hours of high
speed magic. Maximum speed flown Mach 2.1 or on the day 2125
kph. Total flying 1064
hrs
 In January 1984, 13
years after that air show at Baragwaneth and 7 years after
joining the Air force I was finally there. Standing next to
that Mirage F1CZ in the hanger was like a dream. All the
determination and hard work has finally paid off.
Just the conversion course left.
On the 6th February 1984 my dream became a
reality. At 10:45, I got airborne in Mirage 214 for my first
flight in a Mirage F1. I flew 22 hours that month. What an
experience.
I had 3 wonderful years at 3 Squadron and I
enjoyed every minute of it. Not many people can claim that
they are excited to go to work every day. I could! Total flying 1455
hrs
Little did I know that it would be the aircraft
of my dreams that would change my life so dramatically.
I did a total of 47 combat sorties.
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