Ever thought about learning to fly an aeroplane?  For those who first want to experience the magic of flight before committing to training, introductory flights are offered by Blue Chip one of South Africa’s Top Flying Schools.

• Elaborated pre-flight introductory briefing by an instructor
• Followed by an instructional flying lesson where you will be flying the aircraft. under the watchful eye of our highly trained and experienced instructors.
• You will get the opportunity to do basic flight maneuvers
• Get a real feel of flying an aircraft.

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Wernich was suprised by his parents earlier today with an Introductory Flight for his 18th birthday, which he completed in style!

Wernich Van Der Colff - Instructor: Devon Kruger 7/7/2010

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I have always wanted to fly, but thought it was unaffordable - instead I took up flying model aircraft as a substitute.  I had a wonderful suprise when my daughter organised an Intro Flight at Blue Chip.  I found it very exhilarating to actually be behind the controls of a light aircraft.  Many thanks to the flight team of Blue Chip Flying School for making this a most memorable and enjoyable experience. My compliments to Devon Kruger on the professional manner in which he continually fed me information while putting me at ease for the entire flight.

Donald Duppa-Whyte - Instructor: Devon Kruger 3/7/2010

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It has been a long life dream of mine to fly, Thank you to Blue Chip for the opportunity to experience my dream.  Most definitely a memorable experience.  Compliments to Devon Kruger

Reginald Houghton - Instructor: Devon Kruger 3/7/2010

Blue Chip Flight School in alliance with FlyJetstream announces a further flight training concept which provides the opportunity to accompany an experienced charter crew on an actual charter flight for every 30 hours of training hours flown.

Dear Customer

As you will notice there has been a change of ownership, and many other developments, all of which will be contained in the newsletter.

Congratulations go out to all of those who went solo, obtained their PPL’s, Night Ratings and Instrument Ratings during the past few months. Some of them were acknowledged at last months Safety Evening held at the Giovanni’s Jet Lounge. It was presented by Johan Lottering and was labeled as a huge success by all who attended.

In this newsletter you will also read accounts of students who have participated in Blue Chip’s new and exciting incentive, which affords students the opportunity to accompany FlyJetstream charter crews on actual charter flight. This affords you the exposure and experience of commercial flights, before you obtain your Commercial Pilot’s Licence.

We still welcome any photos or stories of your recent or even not so recent aviation adventures. Remember we will publish any suitable materials received on the website.

So let’s all keep up the good work and continue to improve on our exceedingly high standards of safety.

Happy reading

and flying to all.

Meet the new owners of Blue Chip Flight School.

Hennie Coetzee

From the moment Hennie could speak he was convinced he would become a pilot and has never changed his mind.  He matriculated in 1997 then studied a BCom degree in Aviation Management at the University of Pretoria where he graduated in 2001.

He then trained to become a Commercial Pilot at Blue Chip Flight School and currently holds an Airline Transport Licence with a Grade 2 Instructors rating.  With extensive flying experience ranging through variety of aircraft, Hennie is the managing director and one of the founding members of FlyJetstream Aviation.  He has contributed tremendously in growing the company over the period of three years.

Henk Kraaij

During his standard eight year at school Henk started training with Sky Riders Flight School as a student to obtain his Microlight Pilot's Licence which he achieved in 2004.  In 2006 he completed his microlight instructor's licence. Henk enrolled as a student pilot at Blue Chip Flight School to obtain his Private Pilot's Licence which he managed to complete in less than three months.

On completion of his degree at the University of Pretoria in financial management in 2009, he decided to join FlyJetstream Aviation where he managed the fleet of over 20 aircrafts ensuring that the company's aircraft documents are in order. Presently he is involved on a full time basis at Blue Chip Flight School maximizing his experience and knowledge he obtained over the past four years.

Henk's passion is to grow the school to one of the most sought after aviation training schools where safety will never be compromised.

Walter Warden

From a young age Walter was fascinated by any flying machine and in October 2002 he started his training at Blue Chip Flight School, completing his PPL in November that same year.

At beginning 2009 Walter purchased his first wings, which is used priately and also for contractual flights through FlyJetstream Aviation.  Late in 2009, during a casual lunch discussion with Hennie, Erik and Henk, the four of them came up with an idea to manage their own flight school.

As pilots and owners of aircraft, the hectic safety record in the aviation industry since 2008, was of great concern.  The market for improved safety training for pilots was identified.  Amongst other issues, walter is the owner of Limousine and Air Charter Services based in Kempton Park.

His son has the same tingle in the eye when he sees, hears or smells an aircraft.

His only regret is not having enough time to fly!

Erik Kraaij

He was trained as a Chef in the Carlton Hotel during the 1980's. He was initially involved in the business sector as a hotelier, bottle store owner and restaurateur.  During the late 1990's he secured the rights of a King Pie Franchise in the Northern Natal area where after ten successful outlets were built in a period of two years.  He was then approached by the franchisor at King Pie Head Office after he movedto join, as a shareholder and Operations Director of the King Pie Franchise Group in Pretoria.

The King Pie Group was then sold to Rebhold which later merged with the Mvelaphanda group.  Erik remained as Managing Director of King Pie for several years after which he moved to Royal Sechaba, also a company owned by Mvelaphanda group, at which he held the position of Strategic Investment Director responsible for various large companies owned by Royal Sachaba.

Erik has always had a passion for flying and acquired his Microlight pilot licence in 2000 after which he progressed to fixed wing aircraft. During this time he purchased his first aircraft and started a charter business with Hennie Coetzee in 2004.  Thecompany has grown rapidly and secured the rights from Coin Security to operate the Coin Aviation's Division, transporting valuable and precious cargo.  Erik joined forces with Hennie on a full time basis during 2007 where his goal is to establish a strategic BEE Charter Company.

EXPERIENCE GAINED ON A CHARTER FLIGHT

Blue Chip Flight School in alliance with FlyJetstream announces a further flight training concept which provides the opportunity to accompany an experienced Charter crew on an actual charter flight after your 30 Hours of training hours flown.

There are several advantages to this, least of which is the experience gained from the cockpit enviroment on actual approached to flying into busy international airports like O.R Tambo.

The student observes the flight planning process, IF approaches, international and border crossing into other countries.

This exposure will see to it that the student is equipped with additional skills for the smooth entry to the Charter market upon the completion of the CPL training.

Read more from Students about there recent Charter Experience.

Willie Roux - PC12 Charter

21 June 2010. Wonderboom airport 1:00 UTC. A cold winter breeze blowing through my hair as I look down on one of the world’s fastest single turbo prop aircraft, the Pilatus PC12 (ZS-ZBR). Standing on the porch of Blue Chip Aviation I dream of how it must feel flying in such a breathtaking aircraft and following a career in aviation. Well today my first charter experience was about to depart with Blue Chip Aviation in co-operation with Fly Jetstream Aviation, taking me one step closer to my dream.

Boarding the plane with pilot in command, Ian van Zyl, after doing a proper pre-flight inspection, I was quickly briefed about the basic cockpit layout and a few things concerning my task as co-pilot for the day, as we lined up runway 11 for a right hand out departure for Lanseria at 6000 feet my hart was thumping in my throat as I reported the departure with our callsign as “streamjet 127”.

Flying in the special rules area at that time of the day is just a sight I cannot explain, I felt so happy in the right hand seat of an extraordinary aircraft trying very hard to get used to the glass cockpit. We touched down at Lanseria with the intentions of clearing customs and then heading for Windhoek (Eros airport) flying with ease as there where minimal air traffic at that hour of the day.

Departing from Lanseria we selected to climb to flight level 270, activating the auto pilot for the job, I was in awe to experience the comfort of flying with this incredible piece of equipment, combined with glass cockpit it really makes a pilot’s task so much easier! (Bear in mind that I’m used to light aircraft like C172) as we levelled of at altitude Ian got out of his seat telling me to listen out on the radio while he was away.  As I was still wondering where he would go, he returned with perfectly packed lunch boxes! It was the last thing I’d expected to have a perfectly balanced breakfast whilst sitting behind the controls of a pc12, so not used to it but it was truly amazing!

As we fly over Botswana everything was still dark with a temperature of -26 indicated, while we sit sound inside not feeling even a little chill. The auto pilot kept everything steady as I was starting to look for the sunrise in a direct easterly direction, it really did not feel like reality! Morning has just broken when we established radio contact with Eros to join on a right base for runway 08. After touch down I looked on my watch to find that we had flown for only 2 hours and 20 minutes! After I have given it some thought, I clearly remembered flying in variable winds with a ground speed of 276kts! Fantastic!

At Eros we have spent approximately 30 minutes to refuel and load a package while stretching some legs in the mean time, then in a flash we where off again for the somewhat long leg back, heading for Johannesburg International, I was given control of the aircraft as we climbed to level 210, I quickly learned that a pc12 was extremely sensitive on its control surfaces and that you cannot really fly it VFR, because you have to constantly look outside keeping the weather pod on the right wing level with reference to the horizon, so yes, I had our stomachs all over place battling to keep her level! It went better though as time had passed. Some other reasons for a sophisticated auto pilot now clearly occurred to me!

Almost flying the same leg back to Johannesburg, now just in daytime, Botswana was lying beneath us with a somewhat flat landscape. Still controlling the aircraft it seemed like everything was happening so fast, and it was only a matter of time when Mafikeng’s large runway became visible on the right hand side, and minutes later everything felt hectic again when flying into the Jhb TMA with air traffic very well dealt with by ATC, we soon followed a Boeing 737 onto final approach for runway 03 right (Johannesburg International) as I gave a sigh of relief being glad to have a very capable pilot in command by my side! Once on the ground I was again given control of the aircraft, and soon we had the packaged delivered. Shortly after clearing customs for entry into SA, we were lined up and heading back to Wonderboom. It was here where I got the incredible chance to be in command of 1200BHP, accelerating down the runway for our takeoff run, everything felt so smooth and fast!

The routing to Wonderboom was fairly simple IFR course: (I Follow Road). We set course following the Ben-Schoeman - N1 highway, heading over Grand Central to join at Wonderboom for a non standard left-hand approach for runway 29. On long final Ian looked at me and said “you have control”, my first thought was “what the..?” but then quickly analyzing the situation at hand I took control with confidence focusing on the runway numbers and the straight white centre line. With 40 degrees flaps selected we steadily approached 29 with a low nose attitude, thus making the round out pull on the controls bigger where Ian swiftly gave me a hand just making sure I do not touch down with the nose wheel first.

My first charter experience was a huge success, and one that I would never hesitate to have again! Many thanks to Blue Chip and Fly Jetstream; this experience enflamed my passion for aviation and brings forth a new motivation to dedicated aspirant professional pilots trained with Blue Chip.

Willie Roux

Albert Swanepoel - Charter PC12

Imagine watching the sun rise from FL280 and looking down at the earths surface only to see that it is still dark, truly breathtaking.

It all started when we took off from WONDERBOOM NATIONAL AIRPORT (FAWB) at 03:00am local time and routed to LANSERIA AIRPORT (FALA).  After we cleared customs and immigrations we had a cup of coffee on the apron in front of the magnificent Pilates PC12.

After our coffee we were cleared and took off from LANSERIA AIRPORT (FALA), after take off we gradually climbed to FL280 and headed to our destination, Namibia.  The Leg to Ondungwa was amazing, everything from watching the sun rise to passing over the Etosha pans.

After we refueled and loaded our cargo at Ondungwa we took off again and headed fOR O.R. THAMBO INTERNATIONAL (FAJS).  The leg back was just as amazing as the one there. We dropped the cargo and cleared customs and immigrations got clearance and took off for WONDERBOOM AIRPORT (FAWB).  I was allowed to pilot the short leg from FAJS to FAWB and it was amazing!

This truly was the experience that every New Pilot dreams of.

Thank you FlyJetstream , Blue Chip Flying School as well as Ian Van Zyl for making this all possible.

Albert Swanepoel - Charter PC12

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Chad Clark - Charter PC12

On Tuesday the 28^th of April I had the opportunity to participate in a charter flight to Namibia in one of the worlds best single turboprop aircraft, the Pilatus PC-12.

Arriving at Wonderboom Airport at 03:30 we departed at about 04:00.  This first flight at night was for me, an awesome experience.  We had a quick flight over to Lanseria Airport in order to fuel and clear customs, and then departed straight to Windhoek.

I learnt quite a lot about the aircraft during the flight and its operation.

We climbed to FL 240 for the leg to Windhoek and got to see the sunrise which is so much better at that altitude.  This is an experience I’ll never forget.  I now know what aircraft I would like to pilot after obtaining my Commercial Pilots Licence!

This also goes to show that the joint venture between Blue Chip Flight School and FlyJetstream has made it possible for the owners to care about the future of their pilots.

A big thank you to Blue Chip Flight School for their excellent training and FlyJetstream for the opportunity to accompany one of their pilots, Stefaan, to Namibia in the Pilatus PC-12!

Chad Clark & Stefaan Bouwer

As most of you are aware by now, Blue Chip has undergone a change of ownership since the last newsletter. The office had a major facelift and there are many other exciting developments on the horizon, amongst these are a fleet renewal/upgrade program. The new owners originate from FlyJetstream Aviation, which many of you might know.