Dreams take flight at Virginia Airport
Durban locals, Mike Atter, aged 74, and 18-year-old Brandon Alleson recently passed their national pilot's licence (NPL) tests at the Virginia Airport.
‘AGE is but a number’, we have often heard people say. This seemingly clichéd notion has recently been proven by two Durban locals at the Virginia Airport.
Among the roar of planes, the famous airstrip was buzzing with excitement recently after Mike Atter, aged 74, and 18-year-old Brandon Alleson passed their national pilot’s licence (NPL) tests for light sport aircrafts (LSAs) and instructor rating for weight shift microlites (WCMs) respectively.
Atter had previously obtained his licence in the 1960s while working in in Mozambique, but decided to hang up his wings during the war.
Last year, however, the spirited elder decided to dust off his flying cap and take to the skies once again. He took his first solo flight in more than 45 years in October.
“It is a very satisfying feeling to have earned my licence once again. I have had to pass all the technical exams, such as the navigation, radar and air laws in order to qualify, which was quite a bit of work. The flying was definitely the easiest part, and although I would not say that it is like riding a like it has been relatively familiar. It just shows that anybody can do it,” said an elated Atter.
While the flying bug has once again bitten the local pensioner, he insists that he will only be flying for recreational purposes. “Flying has always been something that I enjoyed, and now I hope to share that with my wife,” he added.
Alleson, however, hopes to build a career out of his newly-acquired skills. “I really love flying. It is my passion. I hope to obtain my commercial pilot’s licence next year. My ultimate goal would be to become an international pilot,” said the matric pupil.
In order to qualify for the test, Alleson had to earn more than 200 hours of training in a WCM.
According to the aspiring aviator, the inspiration for his career choice came from a photo of a WCM he saw on his mobile phone in June last year. “When I stumbled upon the photo I just knew right then and there that I wanted to fly. I have since fallen in love with flying and enjoy every flight,” he said.
