St Stithians reach for the sky
BRYANSTON — Trainee pilots from St Stithians College soar the sky to earn their aviation wings.
Pupils from St Stithians College in Lyme Park recently took to the skies during practice runs under the watchful eye of their instructor, John Reeder from the Graduate Flight School.
The hopeful pilots are in training at the Saints Aviation Club, and began their flying lessons in January at the Johannesburg Light Plane Club at the Syferfontein Airfield in Baragwanath.
Courtney Watson, a senior English teacher at the college and an experienced pilot said that it is exciting that her pupils have shown enthusiasm for flying.
“Their hard work and dedication is indicative of the spirit of adventure encouraged by Saints. The pupils learning to fly at present range from 15–18 years of age, and we already have an imminent ‘solo’ flyer. Brandon Vermaak has been joined by his dad, and the two of them are a formidable team,” she said.
Watson added that he hoped the Saints Aviation Club would ultimately be able to afford its own light aircraft as interest grows. She said that they hope to encourage more girls from the Girl’s College to enroll and currently have two exceptional female aviation students.
At the end of the year, the eight pupils will receive their aviation wings as fully-fledged pilots at a ceremony.
