We're going to land this plane

Dave with student Andrew preparing for some sunset landings at Virginia Airport

The runway lights are on as Andrew is on short finals for runway 05 Virginia

The Durban coastline on base as we turn final approach

The colours of the skyye as the sun prepares to set

Congratulations to our LSA pilot Rupert

Rupert is no stranger to the skyye and already has his helicopter licence. He has now completed our conversion course to fixed wing aircraft and qualified with his NPL (LSA) licence. The training involves writing two more exams as the Principles of Flight are different for the two types of aircraft and the Technical and General exam also needed to test his new technical knowledge of fixed wing aircraft, along with some practical training with our instructors.

Our Instructor Johnny (right) congratulates Rupert after his flight skills test

Rupert with our fixed wing Sling training aircraft FYA

Rupert in the skyye over Durban

Looking pleased as punch after completing his skills test

Congrats to solo students

The most amazing moment is when the flight instructor steps out of the aircraft and says you're good to fly on your own. Here our Chief Flying Instructor Brad and CEO Dave congratulate Durban Skyye students after their first solo flight.

Cass goes solo in our Sling FYA

A proud moment for Gordon Webb

William says "Yes, I did it!!"

Brad congratulates William on his first solo flight

Our first PPL pilot qualifies

Durban Skyye's first qualified PPL pilot, Llewellyn Anderson is congratulated by the flight school CEO Dave with their Sling 2 aircraft ZDL.

Llew holds his PPL licence in the aircraft he qualified in, our flight school Sling 2, ZDL

Durban Skyye Flight School CEO Dave congratulates Llew on his licence

Getting ready to fly

Our flight instructor Brandon (left) and our Chief Flying Instructor Brad (middle) chat to our NPL student William ahead of his pilot lesson today. William has notched up his first few hours towards his licence with Durban Skyye Flight School.

Heading north today

Dave's student Gordon getting more comfortable in the air on a bumpy day today as we headed north to the Tugela River Mouth and back to Virginia, transiting through King Shaka International airspace.

The Umhlanga beachfront and lighthouse on our return from the north

Cass goes solo

Our NPL student pilot Cass did his first solo flight today in our flight school Sling FYA.

Our Chief Flying Instructor Brad was there to congratulate him and oversee the flight. Well done Cass, great achievement.

Our CFI Brad with Cass after his solo flight

Cass in our flight school Sling after his first solo flight today

First female PPL pilot

Congratulations to Elaine Benade, our first female student to qualify as a pilot at Durban Skyye Flight School. Elaine commenced training with another flight school before moving to Durban and completed her PPL licence this week with Durban Skyye. Congrats Elaine and many more safe, happy hours flying.

 

Elaine's new qualification: a PPL licence

Elaine with our flight school aircraft, a Sling LSA ZU-FYA

Flying with Jason

Well known restauranteur Jason of Jack Salmon Fishhouse, famous for sushi and gourmet seafood, came flying with me today. Jason is a natural-born pilot and thoroughly enjoyed his time in the Durban skyye. 

Jason (left) flies with Dave in his Sling aircraft ZDL

Durban's Bluff and harbour seen from 500ft

Jason at ease at the flight controls of ZDL

Relaxing after a care-free flight along the Durban beachfront, showing Jason the basic skills flying an airplane

Our flight school on board computer (EFIS) with engine information and GPS

The way to go

Herschel put her fears aside and took to the skyye with Dave in our flight school Sling aircraft as she contemplates getting her pilot's licence. Go Herschel Go!!

Life in the skyye

Durban Skyye CEO and National Flight Instructor (Light Sport Aircraft - LSA) Dave (left) takes Gordon on his first flight in our flight school Sling Aircraft FYA.

Llew completes his solo x-country

Our PPL student Llewellyn feeling chuffed with himself after completing his solo navigation exercise.. a cross-country flight from Virginia to Pietermaritzburg and Richards Bay on his way to finishing his pilot's licence with Durban Skyye. 

Llewellyn lands safely back at Virginia Airport in our Sling aircraft ZDL

Elaine goes solo

Congratulations to our PPL Student pilot Elaine Benade who went solo in our flight school Sling aircraft FYA today. We wish Elaine many more happy hours in the skyye!!

Elaine is congratulated by our Flight School Director, Brad, after her solo flight

Cross-country exercise

Student pilot Llewellyn (right) and I enjoyed a practice run for his solo flights to Isithebe, Empangeni and Richards Bay today as we got the feel of the route and the runways on the 3 hours flights to the north along our stunning KZN coastline.

About to set off from Virginia Airport

The blue yonder off the starboard wingtip of our flight school Sling aircraft ZDL

The beautiful north coast of KwaZulu-Natal

Umhlanga lighthouse off our wingtip

Microlight licence

Our Chief Flying Instructor Brad has been flying non-stop with UK student Bill Tomlinson, out for a short 3 weeks to earn his microlight licence (NPL - WCM .. weight-shift microlight) with Durban Skyye Flight School - Durban's only flight school offering both NPL (light sport aircraft and microlight) as well as PPL licences.

Our CFI Brad (back) with Bill in our flight school microlight

Bill flies the microlight along the Durban beachfront

Seen from above

Not everyone has the good fortune to be able to pursue their dreams, and not everyone takes the bull by the horns to go about fulfilling those dreams.. not Bill Fereday who has taken up a lifelong ambition to fly with Durban Skyye Flight School. Welcome Bill and here's to many happy hours flying.

Bill at the flight controls of our Sling fixed wing aircraft FYA

Instructor Dave and Director of the Flight School

Beautiful photo of Durban's Stadium at the wing-tip of our flight school aircraft

The city and harbour in the background as we zoom along the coast seawards of the Bluff

Durban's Bluff with the harbour taken from 1000 ft