The life and times of Ivan van der Schaar

Ivan started by washing aircraft and today he is an Airline Pilot and has his very own aircraft training school.

Ivan was Born February 1979 and as a teenager Ivan and his friend, Zak du Plessis, used to ride his bicycle to the local Nelspruit Airfield where he washed Aircraft in exchange for one hour flight training a month to obtain an PPL. About two years later Leon van Kraayeburg spotted Ivan’s potential and his passion for flying. Ivan then sold his Business to pay for his CPL and ATPL, today he is a Captain on BA-ComAir.

Ivan with Mark Rochat

Ivan and his Son, Jeandre

Ivan and his son, Jeandre, are also radio controlled aircraft pilots and Jeandre is showing a keen interest to follow in dad’s footsteps.

Early 2014, Ivan also started an aerobatic flight school, giving opportunity to those that want to enter the world of aerobatics or those simple wanting to give it a try! For more information on this contact them at pittsflight@webmail.co.za

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American Flying Classics and Accommodation

American Flying Classics and Accommodation

Ivan and Sonica now also runs “American Flying Classics and Accommodation” at Brakpan airfield.
The guesthouse has a few self-catering rooms that is perfect for the aviation lover, trainee pilots or the businessman needing to fly into the area to do business, limited hangar space is also available.
Photos below by :André Venter

Also see: The Show must go on with Ivan and other pilots giving him a haling hand at Newcastle airshow 2017! Read more…

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Now, Read Ivan’s very own Aviation Love story

“9th of February 1979 was a glorious day for me as this was the day I was born. I grew up in the picturesque Nelspruit and spent most of my youth enjoying the outdoor life only the Lowveld could provide.
My dad used to be a flight instructor at the Lowveld Aero club but by this time other business ventures had unfortunately steered him away from aviation and thus I had not had much access to aviation any longer until one day….
I bumped into Mark Jackson and he invited me to come fly with him. This was a life changing day. I was 11 years old and the dormant disease of Aviation which was hiding inside me woke up abruptly and decided to not let go… That day the decision was made. I will fly!!! No matter what. A decision I am thrilled about till today!
After my flight with Mark I approached him for a holiday job in his AMO. He agreed and there I was in a wonderland. Amongst aircraft and even got to go for a ride every now and then. This was incredible.
Life carried on and it was not long until I was approached by the Lowveld Aero club Chairman at the time, Jeremy Greef,  to keep club aircraft squeaky clean for one flying hour a month. My mate and I,  Zak du Plessis,  jumped at the opportunity.
We both soloed on our 17th birthdays. Zak a month ahead of me. PPL were obtained a couple of months later. I soon joined Leoair Flight Academy with the late Leon van Kraayenburg.
After completing school I obtained my Commercial Pilots license via Leoair flight centre and Danie Terblanche. Here I was flying charters on the C310 and Bonanza. It was incredible to be paid for what I loved doing but I needed to go upside down. Nelspruit did not offer too much in this line at the time.
Nelair charters approached me in 2000 to open and manage a flight school under their license. I snapped the opportunity up and managed Nelair flight academy whilst flying charters in between. Many small twins like Chieftains and Senecas were flown, but what stood out for me at this stage was the Gulfstream I Learjet, Kingair and my all-time favourite, the DC3.
Flying these aircraft presented the opportunity to move to Johannesburg where I met Sonica and subsequently got married.

BA-Comair B737

I heard about an opportunity to join Aquarius Contracts. In 2007 I became a Captain on the Fokker F28. This was not long lived, as I joined Comair Limited in 2008 as First Officer on the B737-200/300/400 and 800 series. Today I am still with Comair Limited as Captain on the Boeing 737-400 and 800 series aircraft, operating local British Airways and Kulula routes.

In 2012. The wreckage of a Boeing Stearman was acquired and so American Flying Classics was born. The Pitts joined a year later.
Both aircraft are seen around the country on the airshow circuit. When I am not at Airshows or flying the airline,  I enjoy instructing mainly in aerobatics or tailwheel flying, using whatever aircraft presents themselves, based at the Brakpan airfield.”

Random Photos of Ivan and his Aircraft

Photo: André Venter

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In the Man’s hanger, Photo from Ivan’s Facebook page.

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Photo from Ivan’s Facebook page.

Langebaanweg Airshow 2017

See it, Hear it and feel it was the theme of the 2017 Langebaanweg Airshow, When talk started of the beginning of the year about the Silver Falcons 50th Anniversary, This was a show not to be missed at all. For those who don’t know this is where most pilots start their basic flying training and is home to the Central Flying School and The Silver Falcons Aerobatic team. The base is situated a few kilometers outside the windy town of Langebaan and windy it was, which was set to be on the program for most of the day.

The morning of the 9th December was D-day for the long awaited Langebaanweg Airshow, we were blessed with clear skies but unfortunately the wind was one up with the organisers. Brigadier General Mac Mathanda and his team made sure that this show was not to be missed with a lot of the public attending the show from far and wide would not be disappointed. The layout of the base made easy access to and from the crowd lines and  to static displays but also made sure one did not make contact with one of the resident Cape Cobras on the day!

The show opened with the SAAF fire and rescue services cavalcade, while a heritage formation made up of the Puma Flying Lions, followed by a single Impala and lastly a fly-past by team 81 in the Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team. As the crowds starting filling up the show continued with the Puma Flying Lions led by Captain Scully Levin, the sound of a radial engine brought back many memories to the base as the Harvard was once the basic trainer before the introductory of the Swiss Pilatus Pc7mk11.Scully then flew onto Cape Town International Airport to fetch the Mango 737-800 which was later flanked by the Silver Falcons Aerobatic team led by Major Mark’Katana’Gentles.

SAA Captain Pierre Gouws led the Raptors RVs from the home base in Kitty Hawk in the east of Pretoria with tight formation aerobatics been put to use. Nigel Hopkins in his Extra 330 led Team Extreme, with two Sbachs flown by Jason Beamish and Mark ‘Sammy’ Sampson and the slot pilot Mark ‘Bugs’ Hensman in his Mx2.Andrew Blackwood Murray show off his colorful Nashua Extra 300 from his home base at Rand Airport.

With the long crowd line the Capital Sounds team provided excellent sound and commentary, which was made up by Brian Emmenis, Leon Du Plessis and Col Keith Fryer. This gave a heads up before displays and made you feel like you were sitting in the cockpit with the pilots during the time of their displays. Col Keith Fryer was also air boss for the day and Col Keith Andrews, them and the SAAF ATC made sure the show was safe and display ran on time.

21 Pc7mkii formed a formation in a 50 representing the 50th anniversary of the Silver Falcons flown by the instructors of the Central Flying School. Radio Controlled aircraft were still flown despite the strong wind.

Helicopter displays saw a 15 Squadron A109LUH and a 22 Squadron Oryx performed an aerial ballet for the public, The A109 then put on a solo display flown by Diaan Grobbelaar. A single 16 Squadron Rooivalk from AFB Bloemspruit showed off why its such a great assest in the DRC, Paul’Raccoon Kempie’Kempthorn.A brand new Ec145 operated by AMS at Cape Town International Airport gave a hoisting demo.

Former Falcon 5 Shaun’Dexter’Constable flew a solo Pilatus Pc7mkii display, while the fighters from AFB Makhado with high speed paces from the 85 Combat Flying School Hawk Mk120 flown by Craig’Shark’Lesson and Major Geoffrey ‘Spartan’Cooper making 2 Squadron proud in his ever popular Gripen display.

Another Former leader of the Silver Falcons Major Scott Ternent displayed the C47TP from 35 Squadron AFB Ysterplaat and not to be outdone by the 28 Squadron C130BZ.Civilain jets saw the Wonderboom based Impala Mk1 and now based PE L39 ZU-TEE painted in the same colour scheme as Middelburg based L39 ZU-IBN.

The breaking of the sound barrier close to 34000 feet by Rehan ‘Kaine’ Venter in the Gripen was what everyone came to hear,they’re weren’t disappointed.This particular show was the first airshow since 1995,this was our first visit to the base. We hope that the organizers wont be shy to have another show soon. The work and effort put in was great you did the SAAF proud.

THE AVIATION ALPHABET

(The Phonetic Alphabet)

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In the world of aviation, pilots and air traffic controllers use special jargon to communicate with one another. This special jargon, called the Aviation Alphabet, uses the same 26 letters many of us learned in kindergarten. Each letter has a corresponding word used to identify aircraft, often called the tail number, and taxiways, which are just like the roads we drive on.

Want to learn to fly? Then read here..

The Nato Phonetic Alphabet, also sometimes referred to as Alpha Bravo Charlie.

Numbers (FAA, ICAO)

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Here is an example of how the Aviation Alphabet would be used between a pilot and the Air Traffic Control Tower:

Air Traffic Control Tower ACAir Pilot:
“OR Tower, ACAir 6587 4 Echo Romeo ready for takeoff.”
Air Traffic Control Tower:
“ACAir 6587 Echo Romeo taxi via taxiway Juliet and hold short Runway 30 Right.”
ACAir Pilot:
“Roger Philly Tower. Taxiing via Juliet and holding short of Runway 30 Right.”

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SAAF Museum Flying Day 2017-12-02

The South African Air Force Memorial is located at Swartkop. It contains a roll of honour of SAAF personnel who have been killed on duty as well as a memorial to personnel of all nations that died during the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in South Africa. Airforce base Zwartkop hosted its final flying day for the year,which saw most of the flying exhibits flying on the day.The base is located in Pretoria and its South Africa’s oldest airforce base in the country and second oldest operational base in the world.

Apon arrival on Saturday the 2nd December,condtions were overcast with a slight breeze,  the cloud base was high enough for flying to take place.The flying procceding started with a para drop with various members of the SANDF from  the Museums C.4M Kudu.

Many pilots gave some of the public flights in the museums Alouette and Puma helicopters.While the Harvard club gave flights to customer’s who wanted a bucket list flight in a Harvard. The windsock café treated the public to some delicious and reasonable meals they have to offer.

The friends of the Museum had the Spitfire Restoration project gazebo up and the public had the opportunity to buy some memorabilia,where all thr funds raised go towards rebuilding the Museums Spitfire.

It was also a sad day for Gen Hugh Paine who was retiring from flying at the SAAF Museum,During his career in the SAAF, the General flew many types of aircraft including Harvards, Impalas, and many helicopters such as Alouettes, Pumas, MBB BK117s, Gazelles and more, whilst holding the positions of Officer Commanding 87 Heli-copter Flying School, Chief Project Officer Rooivalk Helicopter Project, Chief Director Force Preparation, Director Air Capability Plan and Director Helicopter Systems just to name a few.

A special tribute was put together with a 5ship helicopter formation and a 4ship Harvard formation, as soon as Gen Paine landed in front of the bright yellow tower which is common sight at Museum Airshows.,2 Air force fire engines sprayed water as a final salute over the Alouette two he was flying.

We like to wish Gen Paine all the best for the future and look forward to the next flying Day in the new year.

Keep them up where they belong!

Just Love Mission by Jarryd

Just Love Mission The Journey of Little Annie

The Antonov An-2 ,Russian nickname: “Annushka” or “Annie”; “kukuruznik” – corn crop duster; USAF/DoD reporting name Type 22 NATO reporting name Colt,is a Soviet mass-produced single-engine biplane utility/agricultural aircraft designed and manufactured by the Antonov Design Bureau beginning in 1946. Its remarkable durability, high lifting power, and ability to take off and land from poor runways have given it a long service life. The An-2 was produced up to 2001 and remains in service with military and civilian operators around the world. The AN2 is the worlds largest single engine bi-plane.

The Just Love Mission is a charity non profit organization aimed  at aviation  fraternity, The Hill family who reside in the east of Pretoria South Africa, have a very special family member. This family member never moans or fights with her sister, brother or parents. Her name is Little Annie she recently just turned 30 years old a couple of months ago and each day she gets stronger and stronger.

Mark Hill an ex SAAF Chopper and Fixed wing pilot who went solo in a Harvard 7673 on the 19th November 1981 at the then AFB Dunnottar who he spent with many other delightful pupes known as the Central Flying School.aviation
enthusiast Gary Price suggested the AN-2 as the ideal aircraft type to reach rural areas with
unconventional landing space,especially  some of the rugged terrain in Southern Africa.when a personal friend, Mr. Niall Olver, CEO of Execujet Global, he then discussed the idea
with his friend and business associate Mr. Andrei Martirosov, CEO of UTair in Russia ,
that this dream was realized and ratified on condition that “Little Annie” was to
be flown from Siberia to Cape Town as part of the ocean to ocean theme.

The An2 flew all the way from Tyumen (Siberia) to Cape Town and then back to Pretoria, where she now lives at Wonderboom National Airport in Pretoria. Using  19 500 liters and 470 liters of oil on the whole trip, Little Annie got to see some of the most beautiful countries on the trip down to South Africa.

The An2 is used on an outreach program to communities who are not able to get up close and personal with aviation.   They give communities hope that they too may achieve their respective dreams in flying in an aircraft and influencing youngsters to become pilots  in the near future, by doing this many communities have made Little Annie a great mentor and still follow her on her African Journey and meeting great people along the way.

Little Annie has become a very fond participant both at Airshows and Air Races around South Africa. She performs very gentle Maneuvers and is a great asset to the Skydivers and their jump ship at airshows. She has preformed at the smaller airshows and to the international airshow including AAD at AFB Waterkloof ,both Botswana airshows and Race for Rhinos. Jon Marc Hill who is Mark Hill son,recently obtained his Display rating at the Polokwane Airshow in October.

If you would like to contact Little Annie on their website www.littleannie.co.za and find  them on Facebook at Annie Hill.

More Photos , Click to enlarge

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Information on this Black Hawk:

• Aircraft Type: Rotorcraft
• Manufacturer: SIKORSKY
• Model: UH-60A
• Serial:80-23446
• Year of Manufacture: 1980
• No. Engines: 2
• Manufacturer: GE
• Type: Turbo-shaft
• Model: T700-GE-700
• Horsepower: 01561