Take to the skies at aviation centre open day

EVER wondered what it would be like to become a pilot? Wonder no more!

The Durban Aviation Centre, inside the main terminal building at Virginia Airport, hosts an open day on Saturday 30 November from 9am to 1pm. There will be four sessions on the day, which include an explanation by flight instructors, a simulation experience, a crew resource management session and a talk on three different training aircrafts. This will be followed by a question and answer session.

The purpose of the open day is to inform those interested in a career in flying about what this career entails.

“We are trying to break away from the stigma of what kind of people pilots are. We are also trying to increase the amount of women studying aviation as a career,” said Kershan Naidoo, a Grade 2 instructor at the centre.

“The quality of flying in South Africa is exceptional and we want to encourage more South Africans to take on aviation as a career,” he added.

For Nival Ranjith, one of the students, his 11 months at the centre has been an amazing experience.

“It’s been so wonderful, everyday is a new experience. It’s just never the same,” Nival said.

When asked to give prospective pilots advice about the career, Nival said flying takes a lot of self-discipline, “You have to be serious about what you do and have a real passion for it.”

It was 17 months ago that Brittany Westhof started her studies at the Durban Aviation Centre, and this petrol head hasn’t looked back since.

“I only got my private pilot’s licence this year, because last year’s weather wasn’t great for flying,” Brittany said.

“I’ve always been a bit different to other girls. Anything with an engine appeals to me,” she said.

Britanny’s dream is to eventually work for the Air Mercy Service and then work for major airlines later on, “I want to get some good experience first.”

Zambian national, Sanana Kandala, started her studies with the Durban Aviation Centre eight months ago.

“The weather in Durban is great and it’s the best place to fly in the country. I have never been to Durban before and thought I would give it a try,” she said.

For Sanana no other feeling could compare to that of when she is flying, “Being up in the air is the best feeling ever. It’s calming, but exhilirating at the same time,” She added.

Nival concurred, “No flight is ever the same.”

Those who are keen to feel what it feels like to fly will be able to do an intro flight at the open day. The centre will also do a lucky draw for a free into flight on the day.

Visit www.flydac.com