ZANELL BESTER FLIGHT EXPERIENCE

Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive
 

My story starts in December 2016 when my mom asked me “What do you want to do with your life?”.

At this stage, I was in grade 11. I went up to Johannesburg for job shadowing at SAA Technical as I thought I would enjoy it. After spending a week in all the technical departments, I was lucky enough to receive the opportunity to join a female pilot in the simulator. I fell in love with flying and immediately decided to commence my career as a pilot. After visiting 43 air school Port Alfred and completing a Compass test (results included), I started my training at Border Aviation Club East London in July 2017. I scheduled my introductory flight and spent some time with the instructors. The intro flight was exhilarating, and I loved it from the words “clear prop”.


It has been difficult trying to balance my flight training and working a half day, so I can pay for my training. I am almost done with my PPL and it is my heart’s desire to start my CPL. I find that there are very few bursaries/financial supports for young girls wanting to enter the industry, but I am determined to break through this glass ceiling and qualify myself as a Jet pilot and maybe one day I can fly an Airbus. To help motivate and support other girls like me, I have started a Facebook page called Girls in Flight and I regularly share the women and aviation links. I completed my first solo flight on 11 December 2017 and I must say it was amazing, it’s a feeling you can’t describe! I have included some pictures including my solo and intro flights as well as my training flights in between and my Compass test report. So, as you can see, my story starts with a young lady unsure of where to go in life to a very determined woman heading for success. I’ll end this off with my new motto: “Reach for the stars, but always keep your eyes on the horizon”.


Image
Sign up to our newsletter
Please wait