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BOOK
BUSH PILOTS DO IT IN FOURS
A flying autobiography
by Roy Watson
Bush Pilots do it in Fours follows Roy Watson's flying career and his fascination with all things airborne, from the very first steps through the restoration of a Tiger Moth, Aeronca and Zlin and some exposure to aerobatics in these 'older' flying machines.
Thereafter, it moves towards larger aircraft, with his experiences maintaining Hawker Siddeley 748s. Roy was heavily involved in establishing an airline, specifically aimed at supplying food, to impoverished Africa and a close involvement with Russian Aircraft and Douglas DC-4s. What follows is his first taste of true 'bush flying', which evoked a distinct passion and love for the DC-4 (which inspired the title of the novel itself).
The novel finally ends up with the challenging repair and subsequent conversion onto the Boeing 707. The flying exploits vary from humorous undertakings and happenings with his elderly light aircraft up to major expeditions in commercial airliners stretching from the Antarctic as far as the Northernmost Parts of Africa. Roy describes many incidents in the air, on the ground, and with the local population in a light-hearted and entertaining light that is sure to evoke a smile or two.
DVD
International Tiger Moth Botswana Safari
15 April to 1 May 2011
After more than a year of planning, seven de Havilland air craft from all over the world flew some 1500 nautical miles from South Africa through to Botswana and Zambia.
These 70 year old aircraft from Botswana, South Africa and England, completed an epic journey that took them to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, the Okavango Delta, the Chobe River and Victoria Falls.
Participants came from all over the world, Australia, Botswana, England, France, Holland and South Africa; all of them brought together by the inspiration of flying open cockpit aircraft over some of Africa's last unspoilt wilderness.
Produced by Courtney Watson
"Flowing water doesn't become stagnant, and a door pivot doesn't get worm-eaten." - An old Chinese saying.
A sincere, colourful account of the ongoing challenges that faced a young South African woman whose dream it was to fly - a woman, whose fierce determination and love of flying, combined with integrity, excellence and a keen sense of humour, has influenced women in aviation, both in South Africa and abroad.
Yvonne van den Dool paints a rich picture of the scenario of women aviators around the world from the 1950's through to the 1980's, highlighting their incredible achievements. Within this broader context of women in aviation, Yvonne shares the story of her life as South Africa's first woman to hold a Senior Commercial Pilot's Licence. With a strong, fear less spirit, Yvonne embarked on a journey that would not only lead her to fly Tiger Moths at tree-top level whilst spraying Tsetse flies at Kariba Dam, establish altitude records, represent South Africa in Washington DC as their first Governor of the Ninety-Nines and navigate the treacherous Basutoland Mountains, but also become a great role-model and mentor to her two daughters and three grand-daughters.
In 2010 Yvonne celebrated her 80th birthday by exploring the Silk Route in North Western China - an example of how she has lived life to the full. She lives in Hermanus, South Africa, where she continues to nurture her interest in physics, nature and life itself.
Ingrid, Karen, Debbie, Chantal and Tanyn
BOOK
From Kitchen to Cockpit
A Woman's Journey through the World of Aviation
by Yvonne van den Dool