T - Department of Defence

eventsSA Air Force keeps thepassion for flying burningS A S O L D I E RBy Cpl Ally RakomaPhoto: WO2 DavidNomtshongwanaOn 24 March 2011the long-awaitedpilot wings, navigatorand flightengineer insigniawere presented to17 young studentswho successfully completedthe SA Air Force StudentPilot Course 114/10. TheWings Parade took place atAFB Langebaanweg in theWestern Cape and the Chiefof the SA Air Force, Lt GenCarlo Gagiano, awarded theSA Air Force flying badgesto the recipients.The Wings Parade is morethan just a graduation dayfor the graduates: it is a moment ofpride for the SA Air Force, flyinginstructors, mentors, families andfriends. This special occasion was heldfor 13 pupil pilots, one navigator andthree flight engineers. Lt Gen Gagianocommended the Central Flying Schoolfor shaping the products that were seenon parade and acknowledged membersof the SA Air Force's diverse contributions,support and guidance at severallevels. He said that the SA Air Forcewould continue to exercise its mandateof developing aircrew and helping themto realise their military aviation ambitionsand create career pathways in variousmusterings to ensure the flexibilityand mobility of its workforce with aview to maintaining the internationallyacknowledged high standards. Theseare equal to the standards set by the bestair forces in the world.Lt Gen Gagiano reminded the recipientsthat the parade marked only the first ofmany goals that they must reach inThe Wings Parade is a moment of pride for the SA Air Force,flying instructors, mentors, families and friends.Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano, the Chief of the SA Air Force (middle) with senior SAAir Force Officers and graduating pupil pilots who successfully completed theSA Air Force Student Pilot Course 114/10.order to become truly proficient in theirvarious musterings, and said all of themwere leaders at different levels. Hestressed that aircrew had always been arather special breed of people andtoday's recipients were members of thefirst course to complete the initial outsourcedab initio phase of flying trainingand would proceed to the MilitaryAcademy for two years of study for aBMil Degree.In conclusion, Lt Gen Gagiano wished allthe recipients the best with their futurecareers in the SA Air Force. He said:"Give your best. Do not ask what yourAir Force can do for you, ask rather whatyou can do for your Air Force." The highestoverall achiever on course was 2LtMichael Richmond who scooped the AirForce Board Floating Trophy and theInkwazi Floating Trophy. 2Lt NkululekoNkabinde was awarded the SA Air ForceAssociation Floating Trophy while 2LtDale Nadasen was awarded the AirCommand Floating Trophy.Speaking to SA Soldier, 2Lt Richmondsaid that he was overjoyed as thissymbolised a milestone achievementand a sacrifice amply rewarded. Headded that the foundation of anygood aviator was his knowledge baseand one needed to stimulate his or herinterest in flying or aviation in general.2Lt Richmond said: "Being a graduatepilot today has led me to discoverwho I am and what life would be ifone has no courage to attempt anything.Some things will not move inyour favour until you make a move."2Lt Nkabinde said: "It's not where youcome from, but where you are headingfor that determines one's destiny."He could not contain his delight andadded that there were three thingsthat made life special: to dream, tobelieve in yourself and to have passion.He added: "You are the only personwho can say what is right for youand you must trust yourself to testyour limits."J U N E 2 0 1 1 • s25