Crafty Salt Rock pilot turns his woodcraft hobby into a business to keep afloat during lockdown
While waiting to see when he will return to the cockpit, Todd launched his own brand of balance boards, Smooth_lines.za.
As many as 50 pilots and aircrew who live on the North Coast have been grounded since the outbreak of the pandemic last year which saw demand for air travel drop drastically.
Salt Rock resident Vaun Todd, a commercial pilot with South African Airways (SAA) since 2010, has found the woodworking side gig he developed is now his mainstay.
He has not received a salary since March last year, when the airline ceased commercial operations.
When you have a family and children to care for, this can be devastating, said Vaun, who has been in the industry for 28 years.
“This is the biggest thing to ever happen to the aviation industry. It is not clear how long recovery will take as currently there is a lack of appetite for travel, particularly internationally, because people are worried about contracting the virus and spending lengthy periods in quarantine.”
Vaun said layoffs were devastating for pilots who had been working towards the rank of captain.
“Most airlines operate a seniority system for pilots and the path to becoming a captain takes close to 20 years. But all it takes is a setback in the global economy and that dream can go up in smoke in an instant.”
“We have gone from a pilot shortage to no one needing us.”
The uncertainty has seen many pilots turning to a mishmash of odd jobs and second-choice careers to make ends meet.
While waiting to see when he will return to the cockpit, Todd launched his own brand of balance boards, Smooth_lines.za.
The idea came about during lockdown last year when Vaun’s son, Rory an avid sea lover, was not able to go to the beach. Vaun’s wife, Carmen, nagged him to put his free time to good use and make a balance board, a nifty toy to keep their very active son entertained (and fit at the same time).
“I used to do woodwork at school and have always liked to tinker, so I did a bit of research and after some adjustments to the design, made our first balance board.”
After posting a photograph online, requests from friends started rolling in. Balance boards are used to build strength, core and balance for many sports, from skateboarding, surfing to running, pilates and even golf.
“The pandemic brought a sudden and steep unemployment curve among pilots and Smooth_lines.za has helped keep me busy and given me a reason to get up in the morning.”
