AFTER hanging up his wings more than four decades ago local pensioner, Mike Atter, took his first solo flight earlier this month.

Atter comfortably soared behind the cockpit at the Durban Skyye Flight School based at Virginia Airport, under the watchful eye of his instructor, Brad Isaacson. According to Isaacson the spirited elder had only completed 18 hours on training before his solo flight, while many youngsters need at least 30 hours.

The skilled pilot had obtained his license in the 1960s, while working in in Mozambique. He flew various air-crafts in his spare time, but decided to put his hobby on hold during the war. “Things were a bit tense, and it was not safe to fly at that stage,” he said.

Soon afterwards, Atter began to focus on his business and starting a family, and his passion for flying stayed grounded. However, the desire to fly had always lingered in the back of his mind, so after retiring the rusty aviator decided to dust off his cap and take to the skies.

“It felt great. It was like driving a car or riding a bike after you had stopped for many years,” said an elated Atter.

The flying bug has once again bitten the 73-year-old, as he plans to complete many additional flights, until his has grown “too old” to do so.