The 13th of March proved very lucky for PFS.  Sarika Chhiba achieved her PPL and Lourens Du Preez went solo.  Well done to you both, we are very proud of you.

A big WELL DONE to our 2 commercial pilots, Roelof Janse van Vuren & Pieter Grobbelaar.  Roelof and Pieter complete their Twin IF rating, this week.  Well done guys, we are proud of you.  

Excellence can be obtained if you

care more than others think is wise,

risk more than others think is safe,

dream more than others think is practical

and expect more than others think is possible.

It is not unusual to have people coming to visit telling us stories of how they trained with us in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.  The love that they have for the school is written on their faces as they walk around looking at whats new and whats still the same.  Its also not unusual to have ex students coming in to tell us how wherever they go, they get asked where they did their training, as their standard is so much higher than the norm.

Lately I have been examining the difference of PFS, what makes us exclusive.  I have looked how our Head of Training, Jean, has ensured that our training is of the highest standard.  I have looked at how Tiaan, our CFI started his training with us in 2007, first doing his instructors rating with Jean and has steadily upgrade to his Grade II, getting his ATPL and how everyone trained by him, has passed Jean’s high standards.  I have seen Tanya, upgrade to her Grade II, bringing a softer touch to instruction and how Charles has produced many excellent students and upgraded under Tiaan’s guidance to his Grade II.  The compliments that I have received for Rina (who has now been with us for 12 years), Tiaan, Tanya and Charles are endless.  Jean has certainly put together a team that is worthy of being employed by PFS.  Owen has been trained by Tiaan to those standards and has passed Jeans high quality instructors exam, and this year he will prove himself to us with his new students.

So, what makes our school different?  Is it the one on one training technique that allows us the difference?  Perhaps the fact that we focus on “QUALITY” rather than “QUANTITY”.   Perhaps its the fact that we, without knowing, obtain excellence while caring more than others think is wise, expecting more than others think is possible and dreaming more than other think is practical.  And as for the risk, well, not taking an unsafe risk in flying, but taking a risk in ourselves to achieve a higher level of knowledge and understanding within life itself.

This year, lets focus and obtaining excellence, not only in flying, but in ourselves and life.

Joseph Orya went solo today.  Although the day looked grey and gloomy, Joseph waited until it cleared enough for his solo ride.  As PFS is closing for December holidays tomorrow, Joseph just managed to squeeze his solo into 2011.  Well done Joseph, we are very proud of you.

Owen presented the last safety evening for 2011 on Fatigue in avaition.  What a lovely presentation he gave and how appropriate for a year end topic after year of training. 

Nice one Owen, we look forward to more presentations from you in 2012!

As per always, table tennis and a game of pool, were part of the evening together with a lot of laughs around the pub.