a push of the starter, last prime of
the cylinders followed by a turn of
the magneto switch in order to tempt
the M14P orchestra into life. I jest
because in all my short time behind
the wheel in this aircraft thus far I
have not had it miss a start yet.
Up and running we taxied
away to a take-off position and from
there into the air and set the track to
Saldanha Airport. The route took us
over Atlantis towards Yzerfontein, up
the coast keeping clear of the national
park and over the harbour to join the
pattern. All pretty simple stuff save for
the extra vigilance for other traffic. You
see Morningstar Airfield has a very
active club and these fly-aways are
well supported by all makes of aircraft
and all types of performance margins.
We landed and made our
way to the clubhouse of the
Weskus Klub where the typically
warm and welcome folks helped
us to a boerie roll and cup of
coffee for not a lot of money.
Our stay was not to be long
as there were errands to be run at
home, Jay was offered the leg back
to which he jumped at with elation.
I was thrilled he didn’t back away
because he is to join me later in the
year on the tour of Zimbabwe and
his flying zest will be required then.
I chatted him through the engine
start and take-off once more which
he adjusted to with consummate
ease and soon enough we were in
the circuit back at Morningstar and
touching down in his first light
aircraft flight for many years.
What a lovely morning out and
I was blissful in the delight on his
face yet more in fascination that he
still possessed the silky hands I’d
heard about after some years out of
the GA saddle. Is it muscle memory,
is it a professional attitude or are
some pilots just possessing of the
aptitude required for the game?
Either way, we both had a
blast and flying was probably
the eventual winner and that’s
the reason we all keep at it. •