“If I can do it, so can you.” These are the words of Rabelina Muinoga, a passionate young pilot who obtained her private pilot’s licence (PPL) on July 22 from the Airborne Aviation Flight School, situated at the Boksburg Brakpan Benoni Airfield.
The 20-year-old was born and bred in the Tsakani, Brakpan, and is the first women from her area to receive a PPL. Growing up, her father was a boilermaker and her mother a home executive.
Rabelina started dreaming about becoming a pilot when she was still a young girl attending Laerskool Kommando Primary.
“As I grew older and we started discussing our careers at Nigel High School, I realised I still have a love for flying. I always thought planes are fascinating.
They’re so big, yet they can stay in the air for hours,” she explained.
She matriculated in 2017 and qualified as an air hostess in 2018. In 2019, she flew an aircraft for the first time and now she has completed more than 86 hours of flying.
“It has been a long journey, but I’m so proud and excited about getting my pilot licence. I would have received it earlier if it wasn’t for the lockdown,” she said.
The pilot explained the most challenging aspect about working towards her licence is funding. “It is costly to get your pilot licence, but I was determined to become a pilot. My uncle, who lives in the vicinity of Airborne Aviation, consulted with the owner of the flight school, Sam Berriman.”
The owner agreed to assist the youngster by contributing approximately 70 per cent towards her licence if she passed matric with flying colours, which she did. “He is also my inspiration when it comes to my career.” Rabelina hopes her story will inspire many more women to enter the male-dominated industry.
“Not many black females want to become pilots. Some of them are afraid of heights and don’t have the funds to work towards a pilot licence. It’s not that difficult to get your licence. You just have to be dedicated and study, study, study. Hard work is important and it pays off,” she pointed out.
Rabelina expressed her gratitude towards her parents (Filomena and Inacio), her uncle (Julian Yende) and those who encouraged her to never give up. She is determined to pursue a career in aviation as an international pilot in the future.
When she is not flying planes, she is singing in her church choir. Sam, who resides in Boksburg, said Rabelina is an inspirational young woman.
“She is a top student and obtained over 80 per cent for all her exams. I couldn’t be prouder,” he said. He explained a PPL means she is permitted to fly any SA-registered aircraft with non-paying passengers.
“She is working towards her night rating, which means she?ll be able to fly at night as well. She can then proceed with her commercial pilot licence (CPL). However, in order to obtain the CPL she will require further funding and is appealing to anyone who can help with a bursary or sponsorship to continue with these studies.”
Anyone who is able to assist may contact Sam on 011 915 0044 or 074 113 2911.
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