Taking to the skies with a model plane
Since joining the model aircraft club in Grade 10, Mr Ferreira has never looked back. throughout the years, he has acquired 11 model aircrafts, half of which he built himself, and two electric helicopters.
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” – Leonardo da Vinci.
According to Quentin Ferreira, this quote by Leonardo da Vinci sums up flying in a nutshell.
Actively involved in the model aircraft club and a microlight enthusiast, Mr Ferreira said his love for flight has always been there and has grown stronger over the years.
“Flying has always been a passion for me. As a child in Grade 2, I can remember playing cricket and when a plane flew over the field, I would forget about the game and just watch the plane fly. Now, I still play cricket and I still cannot help myself when a plane goes over the field.”
As he grew older, Mr Ferreira’s love for aviation never wavered. “I knew I wanted to fly one day,” he said.
While in high school, Mr Ferreira said he was introduced to model aeroplanes by one of his teachers, Riaan Buitendach.
“He brought one of his planes to school to touch up during some free time and I started asking him questions. I was then invited to join him at the airfield to watch the model planes being flown and that was it. I was hooked.”
Since joining the model aircraft club in Grade 10, Mr Ferreira has never looked back. throughout the years, he has acquired 11 model aircrafts, half of which he built himself, and two electric helicopters.
“For me, flying is a world of its own. You cannot really explain it to someone until they experience it themselves.”
Not only was flying described as a stress reliever by Mr Ferreira, but as a hobby that allowed one a sense of fulfilment.
“The satisfaction of building a plane and seeing it take off is an accomplishment which fills you.”
Meeting every Saturday at the Newcastle airfields from 9am until 1pm, Mr Ferreira joins the model aircraft club and indulges himself with his favourite past time.
“We are looking for new members at the club and people are more than welcome to join us. We will even help train people fly their models and give them guidance at no cost.”
While the initial cost of acquiring a model aeroplane is expensive, Mr Ferreira said once you had the plane, it was only the running and maintenance costs one had to worry about, which were not a lot.
“Now is actually the best time to get involved with model aircrafts, as their prices are reasonable.”
