102 SA Flyer
Almost all kids
fantasise about
being a policeman,
a fireman, a nurse
or a pilot. Then,
when the time
arrives to make a
career choice, the
glamour of these
endeavours fades
for most. Practical
considerations come
into play: income,
stability and a
host of other more
mundane factors.
A
future in aviation
is usually a love
affair, a passion
that rst must
be initiated
by a cupid’s
arrow, rather
than rationally
mulling the pros
and cons. Those who have never grasped
the controls of an aircraft and own can
never really understand what all that
passion is about.
Those that are born to a family of
aviators are usually infected with aviation
from birth. But there are many AOPA
members who took up ying, not as a
career, nor were introduced through family,
and they often have a fascinating story
about taking to the skies.
This is one of those stories.
THE CAPTAIN OF INDUSTRY
Andries van Tonder is today a senior
captain of industry. As Group Chief
Financial Ofcer for a large and very
diverse group of companies, he had little
exposure to aviation since he embarked on
his career in business and nance.
His passion for ying was ignited in
a rather unusual way. Back in 1998, the
owner of the company for whom he worked
informed him that he was being sent on a
management course.
The ‘management course’ was
cryptically referred to as a ‘PPL course’. It
transpired that Andries’ employer was of the
view that learning to y would be the best
management course his budding employee
could go on: it teaches the student to make
quick and accurate decisions and swift
risk assessments. Flying also teaches
communication skills, responsibility and
discipline.
No doubt, training to y and achieving
his private pilot's licence was also a
test. Proving his skills in the air would
additionally prove the ability to master
the skills required to navigate a business
through the challenges of industry from his
cockpit in the boardroom.
THE BUG BITES
The management course did not end
there. The unexpected exposure to ying
went on to change his life dramatically, not
just in business, but also socially and as
an escape from the stresses and turmoil of
work.
Andries went on to achieve a
commercial pilot’s licence, as well as multi-
engine and instrument ratings in 2007. For
several years, the only aircraft he ew was
a Cessna 340A pressurised twin. Flying a
few commercial and business ights kept
him on top of the ying game, but it was
not where his true passion lay. He loved
recreational ying and competed in several
President’s Trophy Air Races and Unlimited
Challenge Air Races in the big Cessna.
Despite his commercial licence, Andries
considers himself to be a recreational pilot
CHRIS MARTINUS, PRESIDENT AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION – SOUTH AFRICA
Pilot Profile -
TRAINING FOR THE CAPTAIN
In the face of considerable scepticism, Andries restored this Do27.
He enjoys flying the beast as he hones his stick and rudder skills.
and now ies purely for the joy of ight.
The camaraderie and social aspects of
sharing his time with like-minded fellow
pilots is also a signicant part of his life.
THE DORNIER
In 2010 Andries got a bee in his
bonnet. He really wanted a Dornier
Do27. There was just something about
that big, slow military taildragger that
appealed to him.
After a determined search, he
acquired a 1960 Dornier Do27 that had
served as a reconnaissance aircraft
with the German Air Force. Although the
aircraft was in a fairly sorry state, Andries
was chuffed, and the German Air Force
Museum was able to provide him with its
full operational history.
Against great odds and considerable
scepticism, he embarked on a long and
expensive restoration of the Dornier and
brought it back to its former glory, including
its original Air Force markings.
After completing a tailwheel rating in
an Aviat Husky and shortly after the Do27’s
extensive restoration was completed,
Andries did a type conversion on the
Dornier. The Do27 is no lightweight at
1,200 kg, with a 600 kg payload and with a
geared Lycoming GO-480 engine swinging
that large propeller out front. Nevertheless,
he regularly enjoys ying this lovely beast
and honing his stick and rudder skills, and
he revels in its lessons in pilot manners,
particularly while perfecting his takeoffs
and landings.
Today, the Dornier continues to teach
the respect and skills that his former
employer had in mind a couple of decades
ago.
THE HARVARD
Not one to rest on his laurels, Andries
recently purchased another restoration
project – a T6 Harvard military training
aircraft that saw service with the Southern
Rhodesia Air Force.
A painstaking restoration is under
way to bring this iconic aircraft back to
its original condition, including its former
colours and the markings from its days in
military service.
WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT
Andries reminds us that life is not all
about work, bureaucracy, regulations or
ying primarily for transportation. He tells
us that when he is in the cockpit for a ight
around the patch, he forgets about his life
on the ground, is relaxed and at ease – and
simply exhilarates in the pure joy of ight.
CHRIS MARTINUS, PRESIDENT AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION – SOUTH AFRICA
AOPA BRIEFING
Andries is now restoring a T6 Harvard
from the Southern Rodesian Air Force.
j
Life is not all about work, bureaucracy, regulations or flying primarily
for transportation. Take time to simply exhilarate in the joy of flight.
