Festival gives pupils wings
As part of the vision to bring aviation to the people, organisers of the Durban Land, Sea, and Air Festival and pilots spent time teaching pupils from disadvantaged schools about career opportunities in the world of aviation.
WHILE Durban skies were abuzz with the spectacular aerial manoeuvres of jet planes for the Durban Land, Sea, and Air Festival, a little known event, aiming to highlight the importance of the aviation industry, as well as giving pupils a chance to experience an industry often overlooked as a career option, took place prior to the festival, with more than 1 000 pupils from around Durban attending the KZN Air development day at Virginia Aiport.
As part of the vision to bring aviation to the people, the event organisers and pilots spent time teaching them about career opportunities in the world of aviation. Several pupils were treated to their very first plane ride as well.
Major Beau Skarda, leader of the Silver Falcons, the display team of the South African Air Force said he hoped the day exposed pupils to some of the aviation industry’s leading role players.
“We want to promote a career in the aviation industry as an achievable goal,” he said.
Northglen News spoke to Grade 10 pupils, Thabile Msomi and Melusi Thabethe from Vukuzakhe High School in uMlazi. The duo had never been to an airport before and had never sat in the cockpit of a jet plane, let alone one of the SA Air Force.
“It was a super day. I learned about many opportunities I could explore after high school. I’d love to be a pilot some day,” an enthusiastic Melusi said.
Thabile agreed with her fellow classmate. “This is a once in a lifetime experience and sitting in the cockpit of a jet plane is one of the most exciting days of my life,” Thabile said.
