Sharpen Your Flying Skills on a Flying Safari

By ANN Correspondent Rose Dorcey

Wild game drives and cultural tours on a flying safari in South Africa. Mountain and backcountry flying in New Zealand. The Alaskan wilderness with the chance to add a new rating. The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and the Teton's. There was no shortage of opportunities to learn about these and other flying adventures at AOPA Expo '04.

Representatives from several states and foreign countries occupied booths at the Expo, and the fun and adventure offered by each should convince pilots that another world of flying exists for many of us. Some can even help improve our flying skills.

Take, for example, the "Improve Your Flying Skills" Safari, offered by African Aero Safari in South Africa. In eight days and 20 hours, the flying safari will sharpen your skills "in the bush", while working on navigation, airmanship, and landings. The latter sounds especially true, landings will be made on all types of landing fields - paved, grass, gravel and sand.

The company also offers pilots sightseeing safaris for up to 15 days in length, with up to 24 hours of flying time. One to six airplanes travel in a group, with usually two people  (you as PIC and a companion) per airplane.

Dave Vanderspuy, a native of South Africa, was on-hand at AOPA Expo. An energetic, friendly fellow, Vanderspuy was eager to explain why African Aero Safari is the aero-company to choose if you want to fly in South Africa.

"We're local, we know the local people and local languages. Our customers come out of their safari experience with a whole lot more," he said. "There is a lot of linking, we become friends, and we become like family."

Vanderspuy knows the region, and he knows aviation. He was born into an aviation family. His father is known in some circles as the father of aviation in South Africa.

I asked Vanderspuy to put me in touch with former customers of African Aero Safari. He introduced me to Mike Anderson, McCall (ID) who enjoyed his experience so much that he volunteered to help Vanderspuy at the show. Anderson participated in an 18-day flying safari six years ago, and he plans to do it again. Anderson described his experience with twinkling eyes and great enthusiasm.

"It was like luxury tent-camping... polished teak floors, top quality plumbing fixtures, and exquisite food. We used Land Rovers to view the animals. I have a full-face shot of a lion."

When asked if he ever felt in danger by the close proximity to the wild game, he replied. "The guides are very sensitive to the signals of the animals. The animals intimidated me, but we learned their signals. We also learned from the guides that the animals are more likely to see us as food if we are standing alone. They are less likely to see us as food when we're in a large vehicle."

On to the New Zealand Flyinn Tours booth, where I met Matt and Jo McCaughan. New Zealand and Flyinn Tours offers spectacular scenery and friendly people, mountain flying and all-inclusive flying itineraries throughout New Zealand. The McCaughan's are equally friendly folks who are New Zealand sheep farmers when they are not out flying. Flyinn is based at Geordie Hill, a working high-country sheep and cattle station. The station has a private airstrip, owned by the McCaughan's, who promise to provide personal service and attention throughout your stay.

Bob and Roz Weinstein, Deep River (DT) are more-than-satisfied, enthusiastic customers of Flyinn Tours. "We loved our New Zealand adventure", said Roz. "We want to go back and we tell everyone who hasn't been, to go".

Flyinn Tours uses 180-hp Cessna 172's and a Cessna 206. Itineraries and activities vary.

Next, I spoke with Don Lee of Alaska Floats and Skis. Lee is a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) who runs his business out of Talkeetna, Alaska. At Alaska Floats and Skis, a pilot can take part in adventure flying and earn a new rating at the same time. One can add Single Engine Seaplane (private or commercial), earn tail wheel signoffs and learn what bush and glacier flying is all about. Did I mention that Lee is enthusiastic, friendly, the kind of person you want to fly with and earn a rating through?

It seems that I have found those same qualities with all the folks I talked to about flying adventures. These folks must be on to something! You can be sure; a flying adventure to Alaska or South Africa will be on my Christmas wish list this year.

FMI: www.alaskafloats.com; www.aerosafari.com; www.flyinn.co.nz