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.