Retired bush pilot shares fascinating stories at Olivedale event
Keith Downing relives memories of flying people all over Africa in small aeroplanes and the challenges he faced doing so.
A retired bush pilot held his audience in rapt attention as he told stories of lions on the runway, navigating swamps in the Okavango Delta, faulty aeroplanes and even a crash landing where he was knocked unconscious and stranded in the Zambian bush.
Keith Downing was speaking to a room full of people at Olivedale Library on May 17 at the Friend of Olivedale Library’s (Fools) monthly speaker’s morning. Aside from fascinating tales and quirky anecdotes, the former bush pilot even educated listeners about the components of aircraft, which were his favourite aeroplanes and why, and the various dangers one has flying over vast savannahs. He had photos to go with it all.
“Daily, you have to mentally tell yourself ‘this is gonna be the one’,” he said referring to being prepared for any eventuality and possibility of disaster during a flight. “Most pilots can go their whole careers without a serious incident but it just takes one thing to go wrong.”
Other challenges included birds flying into the plane, weather (especially hail), finding a poorly marked airstrip in a jungle or savannah, short runways, hyenas chewing plane tyres, and having to use an ice cream container when needing the toilet on a long flight.
He also spoke of flying over serene landscapes and Victoria Falls many, many times. The passion for his former job came through in the avid descriptions and sparkle in his eyes at every memory relived.
He also retold how he and three passengers experienced a problem with an aircraft and had to crash land into the largest tree he could see, to dissipate energy and reduce inertia. Downing was knocked unconscious and suffered moderate to severe injuries, but thankfully everyone else was fine and one of the passengers knew first-aid, keeping Downing from drowning in his blood and a stable condition until a helicopter arrived to help.
Fools chairperson Bette Kun thanked Downing for the talk. Fools is a group of residents who raise funding for the library.
Details: Friends of Olivedale Library 082 567 9739.
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