Lieutenant Colonel Clarita Frylinck is in command
In her 20 years of military service, Frylinck said her greatest achievement was becoming commander of the 87 Helicopter Flying School.
As a child, Lieutenant Colonel Clarita Frylinck dreamed of pursuing a career in either the medical or aviation fields.
However, it was after matriculating from Ferrum High School in 1997, that her choice was truly made.
“I always loved the idea of flying, but I initially wanted to go into medicine after school. When I matriculated, my grades weren’t good enough and I decided to take a gap year and join the army.”
At the South African Women’s Army College in George in 1998, her life changed forever.
She qualified as an officer in the Engineer Corps and worked at 2nd Field Engineer Regiment in Bethlehem, Free State.
From there, she joined the South African Air Force and took the Pilots Wing Course, qualifying as a pilot in 2001, at Central Flying School, Langebaanweg in the Western Cape Province.
Determined to achieve her full potential, she completed her Rotary Wing Conversion Course at 87 Helicopter Flying School on Alouette III helicopters, as well as her Operational Conversion Course on Oryx helicopters.
Through her dedication and passion for flying and the SAAF, Frylinck was appointed as Officer Commander of the 87 Helicopter Flying School in Bloemfontein on December 1, 2016.
“I enjoy the freedom and diversity that flying offers, which is why I chose helicopters, as no one day is the same as the next,” she said.
Asked if the SAAF was a male dominated structure, Frylinck said this was not the case.
“It all depends on how you adjust. If you do the same things which males do, within the rigid military structure, gender does not play a role at all.”
In her 20 years of military service, Frylinck said her greatest achievement was becoming commander of the 87 Helicopter Flying School.
“Becoming the only female of the Gold Vultures Club has also been a highlight in my career.”
In order to become a Gold Vulture, Frylinck said a pilot had to qualify as a instructor and do three tours, which she had done.
Through her career, Frylinck met her husband Nico. As a mother of two and a commanding officer, Frylinck said there were challenges but due to a stable support system, and her incredible husband, she was able to manage both the motherhood and flying aspects of her life.
When asked if she would encourage others to pursue a career in the air force, Frylinck said one first needed to look within themselves.
“When youngsters ask me about joining the army and the air force, I am always honest. It is a tough career, and you must have the passion and drive for it. If you don’t have that passion, it won’t work.”
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