“Aviation is not an unaffordable or exclusive pursuit,” says Len Kruiskamp, Chairman of the Grahamstown Flying Club (GFC). “Nowadays, for about the cost of a family lunch at a restaurant, one can take to the skies for an hour and experience the excitement of flying.”
“Aviation is not an unaffordable or exclusive pursuit,” says Len Kruiskamp, Chairman of the Grahamstown Flying Club (GFC). “Nowadays, for about the cost of a family lunch at a restaurant, one can take to the skies for an hour and experience the excitement of flying.”
The GFC has a long and distinguished history, and now as a non-profit community association, it is encouraging people and families to become part of the club's activities.
“With new technology, light aircraft are far quieter and more environmentally friendly. They use normal, low lead petrol and consume less than half the fuel of older technology planes," says Kruiskamp.
GFC has operated from the Grahamstown Aerodrome for over 50 years, and has been instrumental in training and developing the careers of many South African National Defense Force (SANDF) air-force and commercial pilots by providing an affordable way of experiencing the joys of aviation.
There is an international shortage of skilled aviation personnel and joining a flying club is an affordable way to learn and experience aviation which is an exciting career choice. You don’t need to own your own aircraft either. For young people, flying builds discipline – and is a great way to build character, awareness and maturity.
Over the decades, the adjacent military base has used the aerodrome and local airspace for many of its airborne operational requirements. The 6th SAI is an airborne Battalion with a strategic location and is arguably Grahamstown’s largest direct and indirect employer with some 1 800 permanent and support personnel. Co-operation and support between the Battalion and the aviation community is key in supporting civil defence and game/livestock patrols and security.
The club is currently investigating how to assist local farms and game reserves with day and night airborne patrolling as well as acquiring a new club plane to provide hire-and-fly and aviation tuition to the community. Training through a Civil Aviation Authority accredited training school has been provided at the aerodrome for many years.
For more information, an introductory flight or to be included on the e-mailing list, contact Len on 082 552 3829 or Larry on 082 574 6102.
