DURBAN WINGS CLUB 2013 ACHIEVERS AWARDSBy Cheryl SmitThere are few flying schools in South Africa that boast the long and proud tradition of the Durban Wings Club sited at Virginia Airport. Durban Wings Club had its origins well back before the Second World War of 1939-45. In 1946 the old Durban Light Plane Club was reformed at the old Stamford Hill aerodrome as the Durban Wings Club. The move to Virginia took place in 1959, but the Club, as it had been since the war, was purely a social venue (as it is today).Eventually it was decided to undertake flying training and a Tiger Moth was bought, but it was not long before the Club purchased its first 150 and it never looked back. Using air shows and pageants to help raise funds and to gain exposure within 18 months the training built up to 450 hours per month. In 1976 the Club had over 600 members, of whom almost 200 actively flew. There were 80 students in training and during 1976 and 31 graduated with Private Pilot Licences. As time went by, the emphasis changed from training, to a club for its members as it still is. The President of Durban Wings Club Stu Low hosted the Annual Awards for its members and achievers on Wednesday evening. Stu mentioned that he was so pleased to see that there was progression in these awards from one year to the next as those who received 1st Solo last year have now gone onto obtaining their PPL, Night Rating and or Instructors Rating. Certificates were awarded by Stu Low to all the Achievers. Special mention must go to the Award received by Brian Emmenis for the exceptional 28 years of support to the DWC and the Virginia Airshow. The awards were as follows: 1st Kivash Narain (not present)  2nd Gareth Price  3rd Jason Bahati PPL:   2nd Challin Reid  3rd Nival Ranjith   2nd Chaylene Jarvis  3rd Kyle Chiocchetti CPL and IR:  1st Megan Harvey CPL (H)  2nd Jason Els CPL IF  3rd Carrera Phillips CPL (H)  Nick Cooke / David Badenhorst rescue MV Smart  1st Brett English Gr3  2nd Dave van der Weyde ME IR and Gr3  3rd Dominique Lenzen Gr3  Tony Sherwin Transferred to King Shaka Tower  JJ Juselius and Larry van der Merwe 31st PTAR   Dylan Cunha 18th Position ROC  Mike Sadowski 36th Position ROC Kate Odendaal - South Africa's Most Influential Woman in Business and Government - Category General Industries - not present  Brian Spurr - For exceptional photographic services to DWC for many years  Brian Emmenis - For exceptional support to DWC over many years during the annual airshow - 28 years!!  Peter Gilbert 9 Province 'Touch and Go' Challenge  Justin Creswell Started late last year and obtained his ME, IR, CPL, Gr3, and did the 9 Province 'Touch and Go' Challenge all in just on a year!! |
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