Potchefstroom glider pilot, Dicky Daly (19) is one step closer to achieving one of his lifelong dreams after gaining eligibility to take part in the 2022 Junior World Gliding Championships the Czech Republic from 31 July to 14 August.
Daly, who is currently busy obtaining pilot’s licenses in the powered aircraft world, has had a stellar gliding season in 2021, winning the SA Gliding Championships Club Class in Potchefstroom. This was proof enough to book his spot for the World Championships of one of the top 4 best performing junior pilots (below the age of 25.)
His journey to the Junior World Championships has now started in earnest with an up and running crowdfunding site “My journey to the Junior Worlds” to help generate funds. Gliding is an expensive hobby and Daly will need all the resources he can get in order to achieve his dream.
According to Daly, the World Championships alone would cost around R 150 000 per pilot. Costs range from vehicles for recovery and towing, labour, fuel, competition entry, licensing, launching costs and travel expenses overseas.
“Since I found out that I was going, I could not sit still throughout my day. It is truly awesome to see my dream unfold in front of me,” stated Daly excitedly.
With regards to preparation, this former Ferdies learner would like to put in as many hours in the air as possible.
“I would like to compete in as many regional competitions as I can. And I want to build at least 80 hours flight time for practice alone. I want to leave a standing statement when I participate,” he said.
Gliding has been part of Daly’s framework his whole life due to his father’s love for aircraft. His father, Richard “Dicky” Daly, has been flying for more than 40 years as a private, commercial, airline, and corporate pilot.
Dicky copied his father’s flights on Windows Flight Simulator to a tee at the age of 9. As a young boy he also helped wash gliders and help them take off at the gliding club, as he was too young to fly at the age of 12.
Dicky’s enthusiasm for gliding grew with each passing year and at age of 14 he made history in 2016 when he became the youngest South African to fly solo.
In 2019 at the age of 17 he also obtained his gliders pilot license and became the first SA Junior Champion in history.
It is no doubt that Daly is determined to make a success of flying as a career and this opportunity to represent SA at an international event will definitely go a long way in his development as a burgeoning world class glider pilot.
For more information contact Dicky Daly on 076 418 5520.
Feel free to check out his Crowdfunding campaign and Facebook Page “The Soaring Life” for updates on his journey to the World Championships.
