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INSCRIBED BY AUTHOR.
2010. Soft cover. 134 pages. Very good condition. Under 1kg.
From flying for SAAF to being an civilian instructor.
This book tells of a certain form of frontier life in South Africa during the last fifty years. There are many ‘firsts’ in the story and there is a strong impression of adventurous men sometimes taking risks, finding new ways of tackling situations, and giving themselves in service to others. Frequently there is little backup for them, yet the job is done. This suggests a certain kind of ethos, of how to work and how to live one’s life. There is commitment to doing a job well, respecting one’s machine, welcoming change, being adaptable and innovative. There is also commitment to teaching others well, passing on to others the benefits of experience and skill. I’m impressed by the vast range of the story. By this I mean not only the variety of commissions that have been undertaken – an extraordinary feat in itself, requiring adaptability, intelligence,
and initiative – but also the sheer geographical scope of this life lived with helicopters, moving as far as Angola, down to Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho and many areas of South Africa. How thrilling it must have been to travel over deserts, nature reserves, the sea, and to see them from a bird’s eye view as well as up close. And, besides the range of places visited, there is the variety of people mentioned, characters fitted to a frontier life: conmen, prospectors and tough-acting farmers.
The book conveys Frank’s passion for helicopters. While the technical information about the aircraft will satisfy many, Frank’s story also suggests why helicopters have a mystique about them, why many find them fascinating. This story evokes some recent history and tells a tale of excitement, discipline and public service.
